From AI and machine learning to 5G, cybersecurity and cloud services, technology continues to rapidly change the global business landscape. Knowing how to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate risks in the technology and communication sectors can maximize your competitive advantage. Our team of industry-savvy advisors specializes in providing customized, strategic solutions to meet your needs.

Whether you’re leading the way or trying to stay current, you need legal counsel at the forefront of these changes who understand the trends, drivers and threats influencing your business. Our Technology and Communications Groups are skilled in interpreting and overcoming novel legal issues associated with innovation in these sectors. We can help you address emerging issues, realize new opportunities and achieve your immediate and long-term business goals.

Our teams deliver strategic, results-oriented solutions in key sectors : Technology, Communications, Intellectual Property, Outsourcing, Cyber/Data, and Fintech.

What We Offer

We partner with you, acting as an extension of your team to develop a customized strategy and business approach that meets your particular needs. From local start-ups to major global corporations, clients turn to us for our industry-recognized expertise to help them achieve their domestic and international business objectives.

• Industry insight: We house one of Canada’s most ‘plugged in’ teams of trusted legal and business advisors. You can rely on our insight to help you navigate the changing tech landscape and stay current with trends and regulatory compliance. Our team members are recognized thought leaders on emerging technologies, have published some of the country’s most authoritative texts, and undertaken the widest range of leading-edge technology transactions across industry sectors in any Canadian law firm. Our lawyers also provide an insider’s view when delivering practical guidance, having been extensively involved in "open data" and alternative data projects, and in strategic collaborations between incumbents and disruptors. Within the communications sector, we have held senior positions within Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) licensees.
• Proven domestic and global success: Whether you need help with Canadian or international business matters, you can be confident that the support you receive is comprehensive and relevant. We have decades of experience advising on some of the most cutting-edge, high-profile legal issues and mandates in the country in both of Canada’s official languages. We have appeared at all levels of court, including receiving successful outcomes before the Supreme Court of Canada and other Canadian administrative bodies. Internationally, we’ve advised on tech and telecom matters in more than 35 countries across the globe.
• Multidisciplinary support: Working with us means you get access to practitioners who are industry experts first, not lawyers who ‘dabble’ in technology and communications. We draw on expertise from our Canada-wide, multidisciplinary team members, including litigation, competition, insurance, IP, copyright, and employment specialists, to provide a one-stop shop for all your business needs. This includes leveraging innovative technology and services through our MT>Divisions to provide scaled, cost-efficient and tailored solutions that ensure process efficiencies, including increasing speed-to-deal.

Related Practices

Because technology and communications affect all aspects of today’s business, it is crucial to ensure your interests are supported at all levels. You need a legal partner who can address your day-to-day needs and help you realize your big-picture goals. Our cross-country team of advisors is skilled in a wide range of areas related to the sector:

Communications

As a telecom carrier, operator, broadcaster, investor or other player in the sector, you require specialized advice on policies, competition, regulatory compliance, and commercial matters. Our lawyers are top-ranked industry professionals with decades of experience helping clients navigate major regulatory proceedings and business transactions that have shaped the Canadian and international telecommunications and broadcasting industry.

Intellectual Property

Your products, services and innovations are core to your business and distinguish you from your competitors. It’s crucial that you protect them. Our experienced IP team can help you properly manage, defend and grow the value of your IP portfolio — and safeguard your most important assets. Many of the professionals on our IP team have advanced degrees in tech and science fields and can knowledgably advise you on enforcing and protecting your domestic and international patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs and trade secrets.

Outsourcing

Whether you’re in the business of providing outsourcing services or you’re in the market for an outsource provider, McCarthy Tétrault’s team has the skills and connections to streamline the process and help you forge effective outsourcing relationships. We will analyze your best options; help with procurement, contracts and negotiations; and support implementation and management in Canada and internationally.

Procurement

Involving our procurement lawyers from the start in the purchasing or selling process will help you avoid pitfalls that may require legal untangling later and can mean increased shareholder value through winning bids and time and cost savings. Our team of procurement lawyers are skilled in traditional and progressive procurement models. We provide end-to-end procurement advice and services, from both a buyer and seller perspective, to save you time, money, and problems down the road.

Technology

To succeed in today’s tech-oriented world you need to stay at the forefront of the industry. Our technology law practice is Canada’s largest and deepest. For decades we’ve operated at the intersection of legal, business and technology across the software, hardware, e-commerce, Fintech, aeronautics, biotechnology, life sciences, IT services, data management and security sectors. We offer you a one-stop shop of cross-functional industry experts with unique views of the trends and legislation that affect how and where you operate.