Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Pervasive computing definition

What does Pervasive computing mean? Pervasive computing describes computing and networking embedded in everyday objects and environments. In legal practice it refers to connected, sensor‑equipped devices in homes, offices and public spaces (for example fridges, washing machines, vehicles and building systems) that process data and communicate their location and status (pervasive communications). Also known as ubiquitous computing and commonly discussed as the Internet of Things (IoT). The term is not defined in UK or Irish legislation or case law; it is a descriptive expression used across data protection, cybersecurity, telecoms and consumer/product liability. Key legal features are continuous, ambient data collection (including personal and location data), connectivity...

Internet of Things: telecoms and electrical equipment regulation, APIs, IP and SEPs/FRAND, competition, consumer and product safety/liability, contracting and future issues—excluding data protection (UK and EU)

Published by a LexisNexis TMT expert

Practice notes

The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes everyday items—beyond laptops and smartphones—connected to the internet. Related terms include connected devices, smart objects, the internet of services, machine-to-machine (M2M), sensor networks, the network of networks, and pervasive or ubiquitous computing. IoT applies to running shoes, buildings, cars, fridge-freezers and drones. With embedded technology, such items exchange data and interact online with each other, the user, the service provider and/or their environment, and can be monitored and controlled remotely. This Practice Note introduces IoT and considers:

the technology underlying the IoT
identifying the legal issues
Application programming interfaces (APIs)
telecommunications and electrical equipment
Intellectual property—overview, ownership and licensing
competition law
consumer protection
liability and fault
compliance requirements
the appropriate contracting model
future legal issues

This Practice Note does not cover data protection, privacy or cybersecurity; these are addressed separately in Practice Note: Internet of...

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Matthew Hunt

Bristows

Matthew is an associate in the Competition & EU department at Bristows LLP, based in London.Matthew has been involved in a number of high-profile cases in the TMT sector. He was part of the team defending Google against an abuse of dominance claim brought by the online mapping company Streetmap, as well as the team representing Samsung in litigation issued by Unwired Planet relating to 'FRAND' aspects of standard essential patent licensing. He is currently involved in a number of on-going FRAND disputes, both for SEP holders and implementers.Matthew has significant experience dealing with the practical issues that arise during litigation, particularly in relation to: confidentiality; privilege; co-ordinating litigation across jurisdictions; and overlapping European Commission investigations, including disputes as to whether claims are follow-on or standalone. He has also spent time on secondment to the in-house litigation team of a leading...

Pat Treacy

Bristows

Pat Treacy is a partner in the Competition team at Bristows LLP. Pat has specialised in EU law and competition law for almost 30 years and has been involved in landmark cases at EU and national level. In addition to her expertise across the range of competition law, she has particular strengths in advising on the complex legal and policy issues arising where competition law and intellectual property law intersect. Consequently, clients in high technology sectors including life sciences and TMT seek her advice regularly. Pat represents clients before the competition authorities and the courts, whilst also advising on competition law issues in complex agreements (including settlement, R&D and licensing agreements). Pat advises many of the Firm's clients on the competition law responsibilities affecting dominant companies. She and her team assist clients with competition compliance programmes and preparation for "dawn...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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