In this episode, Tenisha Cramer (associate, UK), Tialda Beetstra (senior associate, Netherlands) and Tamy Tietze (associate, Germany) explore the topic of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and cross-border internal reorganisations.

They discuss:

• Fundamentals of FDI and how it works across jurisdictions

• The Dutch Vifo Act and UK National Security and Investment Act frameworks, including their notification thresholds and review timelines

• Practical insights gained from recent experience advising on multi-jurisdictional transactions involving technology sector clients.

The conversation covers essential strategies for early assessment and due diligence, and highlights how internal reorganisations can trigger FDI requirements just like external acquisitions, making regulatory compliance crucial for all corporate restructuring activities.

The interview is conducted by our solicitor apprentice in London, Flora McCarthy.

In Competitive Edge – The Podcast we dissect topical competition law issues to help you understand how they may affect your business.

If you have any questions or need clarifications, we would be happy to hear from you. You can contact us at [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].

Check out our Foreign Direct Investment page: https://www.twobirds.com/en/capabilities/practices/corporate/merger-control,-fdi,-eu-fsr/foreign-direct-investment

Stay up to date on Competition & EU Law developments in Europe and beyond – sign up here bit.ly/CompetitionMailingList to receive our monthly newsletter Competitive Edge.

Read all the previous editions of the newsletter here: bit.ly/CompetitiveEdgeBB

Visit our Competition & EU law insights page (https://competitionlawinsights.twobirds.com/) for our latest articles.

In our latest podcast episode from Bird & Bird, Will Bryson (Partner UK, Bird & Bird), Emma Ren (Associate China, Lawjay Partners), Clemens Molle (Associate Netherlands, Bird & Bird) and Omar Sharief (Associate UAE, Bird & Bird) share their insights on the most common challenges, and hidden pitfalls when contracting for AI systems.

Tune in now to discover the key oversights and misconceptions that both buyers and sellers face, learn which contract clauses most often lead to disputes (and how to handle them), and hear practical advice on whether your organisation should prepare its own AI contract templates or checklists.

To continue supporting organisations in addressing the evolving challenges of contracting for AI, we’ll also be hosting a webinar this autumn for a deeper dive into the topic. In addition, the second edition of our Contracting for AI Toolkit will soon be available to further support your organisation.

In episode 10, we are joined by Louise Lachmann, General Partner at Ugly Duckling Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm helping Nordic startups scale rapidly in today's challenging investment landscape. Louise has also been appointed Chair of the Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship, which seeks to promote entrepreneurship among young people.

Interviewed by Martin von Haller Grønbæk, Commercial Of Counsel in our Copenhagen office, Louise shares her remarkable journey from the dotcom era to the current AI revolution, offering unique insights into the evolution of technology investment and entrepreneurship across the Nordic region.

Louise provides candid insights into the current state of tech investing, and addresses the critical importance of supporting female entrepreneurs and improving their access to funding - part of her broader mission to create greater diversity not only in the tech industry but across business sectors generally.

In episode two, Adoption, ethics and opportunity: AI in the Middle East, Charlie Christie speaks to Ben Hughes (Core 42, part of G42 and Bird & Bird alum) about the region’s fast-moving AI landscape. They discuss how the UAE and Saudi Arabia are positioning themselves as global AI hubs, the balance between fostering innovation and ensuring ethical adoption, and what this means for lawyers, tech companies and investors shaping the future of legal services.

This is the second in our series of conversations with leading voices from across the industry - offering fresh perspectives on the opportunities and challenges redefining the legal sector.

In the next episode of our podcast series, join Richard Dissmann (partner, Munich) and William Wortley (associate, London/Munich) as they discuss one of the most contentious copyright questions of recent years: what copyright protection should be given to works of applied art? Richard gives an overview of the legal landscape following a series of decisions from the CJEU in recent years, and he and William compare the German and British approaches following the recent Birkenstock and Waterrower decisions. Hot on the heels of the AG Opinion in Mio/Konektra, this timely discussion is not something you will want to miss.

In the first episode of Rewiring Legal, Thomas Davies, associate, is joined by Christine Kim from Greylock Partners and alum Henry Goodwin from Leo Capital, to discuss investment into AI in the legal space, and how the industry is balancing trust, risk and regulation.

Partnering for Protection: Kyniska Advocacy and UK Athletics on governing body case management procedures

In this first episode, Mhairi Maclennan, CEO at Kyniska Advocacy, and Tom Solesbury, COO and General Counsel at UK Athletics, sit down with Bird & Bird partner Richard Bush to discuss matters including UK Athletics' approach to safeguarding, the groundbreaking collaboration between Kyniska Advocacy and UK Athletics to support athletes and improve safeguarding practices, what the aims of safeguarding cases should be, and what outcomes they might hope to achieve. The conversation also highlights areas for improvement, such as communication with athletes and minimising re-traumatisation during investigations, as well as future directions and the concept of an independent safe sport agency.

In this podcast episode, join Head of Bird & Bird's Hotels, Hospitality & Leisure group, Karen Friebe, in conversation with Employment Partner, Alison Dixon. Karen and Alison discuss the latest developments in employment law which aim to increase protection for employees, including recent changes to the laws on sexual harassment. These developments will have a significant impact on employers in the hospitality sector - tune in now to find out more.

We're gearing up to celebrate World IP Day, and this year we’re focusing on the creators and innovators who enhance our morning commute and get us moving! This year’s theme "IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP," lets us celebrate the vital role intellectual property plays in nurturing creativity and innovation within the music industry.

Ever wondered, 'Where have I heard this before?' while enjoying a new song? Tune in to our latest episode, where we explore the delicate balance between copyright and originality in music creation.

Richard Dissmann (Partner, Germany) and Ramani Young (IP BD Manager, UK), both members of the infamous IP band, explore the factors influencing originality in music, from cultural references to chord progressions, and discover how AI is reshaping the landscape of the music industry.

We very much hope you enjoy listening to our podcast.

Our French team discuss some crucial IP topics and more. Register now for the IP360 event in Paris on March 27th!