Technology transactions

Cross-sector use of technology is key to enabling companies to innovate and drive growth.  

A&O Shearman provides strategic IP, data and technology advice to help our clients negotiate mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, collaborations, joint ventures, complex IP licensing agreements, outsourcing and other tech - and data-rich transactions.  

Our team is pragmatic and forward-thinking, and continually working to address legal issues associated with rapid advancements in the tech world. 

We have deep expertise across the investment lifecycle, supporting clients in industries including fintech, life sciences, energy, private capital, digital infrastructure and technology to execute the most complex tech, IP and data-driven deals.  

We draw on the strengths of our broader transactional practice which includes market-leading antitrust, tax, foreign investment control, data privacy and cybersecurity lawyers to deliver integrated solutions whatever the challenge.  

Our advice is informed by our global regulatory insight, which ensures our clients’ strategies are future-proofed in this fast-moving space.  

Representative matters

• Meta on a number of company and technology acquisitions globally as well as a variety of strategic technology transactions. These include various intellectual property, product, content, and technology matters related to Meta's popular applications and various augmented and virtual reality offerings. 
• A leading global energy company on a range of matters connected to its digital transformation including a tech alliance with Cognite and Google for the establishment of IT cloud capabilities and the distribution of industrial AI solutions, as well as strategic collaborations with other international technology companies including Honeywell, Zoom, LTI Mindtree and others. 
• Zendesk on numerous transactions relating to AI-driven chatbot and customer experience technologies, including its acquisitions of Ultimate and Klaus. 

• A global car manufacturer on the regulatory and privacy aspects of a global project to develop and commercialise "connected cars". We advised the client on the integration of telematics technology and the use of the data collected with such technology.
• Exscientia on numerous commercially significant AI discovery partnerships, including its USD5.2 billion multi-target collaboration with Sanofi. 
• Block (formerly known as Square) in connection with founding the Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance, a non-profit community formed to encourage the adoption and advancement of cryptocurrency technologies. This work included various patent related arrangements to protect emerging cryptocurrency innovation from the threat of patent litigation. 
• Bupa in connection with the global launch of innovative telehealth app Bupa Touch.