FAST legal adviser steps up to bar

No drinks for pirates though

By Kelly Fiveash • Get more from this author

Posted in IT Channel, 22nd November 2007 13:19 GMT

In its ongoing crusade against IP and software piracy, FAST today said that it now has one newly-qualified barrister on the team.

FAST public and legal affairs wonk James Craig has been called to the bar, which means he is qualified to give specialist legal advice and can argue a case in both higher and lower law courts.

Prior to that, FAST's most senior legal counsel was in the form of lawyer Julian Heathcote Hobbins, who heads up the legal team and reports directly to newly-appointed CEO John Lovelock.

Asked if only having one barrister put FAST at a disadvantage given that software and IP theft was a widespread problem throughout the UK, he explained that the team normally worked in-house on enforcement issues and instructed up to five law firms externally.

He told The Register: "Until James was here I was the sole solicitor and had been pretty effective - James just adds to that."

Craig joined FAST last year and has worked on developing the organisation's so-called enforcement objectives.

Craig said in a statement: "I look forward to working with the team to continue our fight in defending intellectual property and tackling software thieves head-on."

In recent weeks FAST has stepped up its game in its attempts to stamp out piracy, and has assisted investigations in Wales, Cornwall and Glasgow. ®

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