Chris Pulham Partner, Commercial, IP & Technology

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Chris Pulham
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    Expertise

    Chris has a life-long interest in technology.

    After qualifying as a solicitor in 2000, Chris initially advised specialist businesses developing telemetry and related technology for the motor racing sector, and a range of software developers and tech entrepreneurs, both established providers and early-stage dotcom startups.

    Chris’s experience covers the full range of non-contentious commercial and IP work and has consistently had technology as the focus. Chris led the tech, data and IP function at Rosenblatt providing advice across all sectors, until the acquisition of Memery Crystal in 2021, when he joined their larger Commercial, Intellectual Property and Technology team.

    Since joining the firm in 2005, Chris has enjoyed adapting to new and emerging technologies and to work with his clients to find practical solutions. Chris is determined to keep sight of his client’s priorities and to ensure their commercial objectives are met within the preferred legal framework.

    Chris’ experience has followed the evolution of major digital sectors and the growth of data protection and digital trade regulation – in particular the development of customer insight, data enrichment and digital advertising.

    Currently, much of Chris’s focus in the crypto and DeFi space, including advising clients considering establishing a new exchange, chain, marketplace, or platform or considering investing in a digital or cryptographic asset or project.

    Chris is a key/founding member of the firm’s New Tech Working Group, a member of the Society for Computers and the Law (SCL).

    Chris focuses on the following areas:

    • Advising developers and customers on platform, SaaS, development, and licensing arrangements, plus their supporting SLAs, customer dependencies and policies.
    • Negotiation of traditional technology and system procurement projects, including tv broadcasting infrastructure.
    • Joint ventures and collaborative projects.
    • Advising project founders on the optimal corporate and contractual structure, asset ownership and core contracts for Web 3.0, crypto and blockchain-based businesses.
    • DeFi projects, NFTs, smart contracts, Metaverse and in-world contracts; marketplace and platform terms and conditions, and token-linked terms and conditions.
    • Data protection compliance (including UK GDPR, DPA 2018, PECR), appointing data processors, advising on anonymisation requirements and reidentification risk, and international transfers of personal data.

    Member of Society for Computers and the Law (SCL)

    "Friendly and family approach."

    Legal 500, 2024

    In detail

    Recent experience

    • Negotiating contracts for the auction, collaboration, and release of digital art NFTs, including negotiating the launch of Sotheby’s major online global auction series “Contemporary Curated: Asia” hosted and curated by Jay Chou, with technology partner Enviseam. This brought together entertainment and fine art, the sale achieved HK$846 million (US$109 million) and topped nine artist auction records.
    • Advising DLT supply chain management business Agriledger in relation to its contracts with the World Bank and generally.
    • Advising on choice of entity and jurisdiction for DeFi projects.
    • Advising on NFT terms and smart contract-linked terms and conditions relating to digital artworks.
    • Advising on the tokenisation of real-world assets, including a collection of physical artworks by a renowned artist.
    • Drafting and advising on platform terms, including applicable wallet, marketplace and metaverse terms.
    • Preparing the contract suite for a railway-based asset tracking technology and negotiating contracts with the railway procurement authority.
    • Negotiating master development and individual franchise agreements, including branded fuel resale agreements.
    • Acting on the purchase of a private jet aircraft and related finance, management, and chartering arrangements.
    • Advising businesses on their obligations and practical compliance steps under the Data Protection Act and the GDPR, regarding the collection, retention, and processing of personal data.
    • Advising on the requirements for Privacy Impact Assessments and GDPR compliance audits and advising on continued compliance.
    • Advising an AIM-listed online dating company in relation to reputation management, conducting a data protection process investigation and data protection compliance audit.
    • Advising customer loyalty schemes and market research companies on their compliance with the Data Protection Act and GDPR, including conducting in-house briefings and staff training seminars.
    • Advising Consentz, a medical patient information and e-prescription platform for GPs, on its commercial contracts, user terms and Privacy Notice.
    • Negotiating data processing, export/import and data sharing agreements across sectors including banking, retail, market research and customer insight, and call centres;
    • Between the purchase of Channel 5 by Northern & Shell in 2010 and its sale in 2014 he was generally retained by Channel 5 to provide commercial advice on a wide range of core technologies and broadcast infrastructure, programming, and related contracts, including:
      • Channel 5’s participation in YouView, the internet TV joint venture between the PSBs and other participants; advising on variations to the JV.
      • Channel 5’s deal with Endemol for the successful relaunch and production of the subsequent series of Big Brother / Celebrity Big Brother.
      • Channel 5’s agreement for core playout and broadcast services with Encompass (Ascent).
      • a number of format option, celebrity talent and similar deals.
    • Advising The Health Lottery on agreements for the provision of tech services, including back-end and consumer facing lottery, gaming, and casino technologies, and on its framework of technology, payment, promotional contracts in advance of its launch.
    • Advising leading customer loyalty programme providers and aggregators on their commercial contracts, which include agreements with merchants, issuing banks, payment service providers and their customer terms and conditions.
    • Advising major advertising agencies in relation to their full-service MSAs, outsourcing and a variety of commercial and licensing deals including the development and roll-out of its core software and products, including for the management of creative briefs and asset, reversioning and delivery; framework agreements for the provision of advertising services to major corporates; joint ventures and commercial agreements.

    Career history

    • 2021 – Present: Partner, Memery Crystal
    • 2005 – 2021: Rosenblatt Partner from 2009
    • 2000 – 2005: Steeles (law) LLP. Associate from 2003
    • 2000: Qualified as a solicitor

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