Best Media, Technology and Telecoms Lawyers in Carrigaline

About Media, Technology and Telecoms Law in Carrigaline, Ireland

Media, technology and telecoms law in Carrigaline operates within the broader Irish and European legal framework. Local startups, creative studios, broadcasters, platform operators and connectivity providers in Carrigaline are subject to Irish statutes and regulators, as well as directly applicable EU rules. While national regulators set most obligations, practical issues often arise locally, such as planning permissions for masts, permits for filming on public land and commercial arrangements with property owners for connectivity.

Key themes include data protection and privacy, digital consumer rights, online safety and platform governance, intellectual property and licensing, advertising and marketing compliance, telecoms regulation, spectrum and infrastructure rollout, and dispute resolution. Because many businesses in Carrigaline trade online or process EU resident data, cross-border obligations frequently apply.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Launching or scaling a digital product or platform - you may need help with terms of service, privacy notices, cookie consent, age-appropriate design, content moderation workflows and Digital Services Act compliance.

Handling personal data - guidance on GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, data mapping, legitimate interests assessments, data processing agreements, international transfers, data breach response and engagement with the Data Protection Commission.

Protecting content and brands - drafting and negotiating licenses, clearing rights for music, footage and images, managing takedowns, tackling online infringement, registering and enforcing trade marks and designs.

Marketing and growth - ensuring email and SMS campaigns, cookies and analytic tools comply with e-privacy rules, using influencers and native ads in line with advertising standards, and avoiding misleading commercial practices.

Telecoms and connectivity - negotiating wayleaves and site access, mast leases and planning queries, service level agreements, wholesale access and consumer-facing terms in line with the European Electronic Communications Code and ComReg rules.

Commercial contracting - SaaS and cloud contracts, software development and IP ownership, reseller and distribution agreements, escrow, open-source compliance and warranties.

Disputes and takedowns - notice-and-takedown for defamatory or unlawful content, platform disputes, domain name conflicts, reputational issues and pre-action correspondence.

Employment and contractors - ownership of code and content, confidentiality, restrictive covenants, remote work and cross-border hiring, and protected disclosures compliance.

Media production - location releases, talent agreements, minors in productions, permits for public spaces, drone use and insurance requirements.

Local Laws Overview

Data protection and privacy - the EU GDPR and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018 set core rules on lawful processing, transparency, data subject rights, security and breach notification. The e-Privacy Regulations 2011 govern cookies and electronic marketing, including consent for non-essential cookies. The Data Protection Commission is the national regulator.

Online platforms and safety - the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 established Coimisiun na Mean, which regulates broadcasting and online safety and acts as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator for the EU Digital Services Act. Providers established in Ireland face obligations on transparency, user reporting, notices and content moderation processes.

Consumer protection - the Consumer Rights Act 2022 strengthens rights for goods, services and digital content, including information duties, remedies for lack of conformity and the right to a 14-day cooling-off period for distance contracts, subject to limited exceptions.

E-commerce and liability - the E-Commerce Regulations 2003 implement safe-harbour protections for hosting, caching and mere conduit activities, and set information and transparency duties for online services.

Intellectual property - copyright is governed by the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 as amended, including the 2019 reforms. Trade marks, patents and designs are available via the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. Clearing rights for media content used online or in productions remains essential.

Defamation - the Defamation Act 2009 provides causes of action and defenses, including innocent publication for intermediaries who act expeditiously on notice. Pre-action protocols and careful takedown workflows help manage risk.

Advertising and marketing - the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland issues binding codes for members and widely followed industry standards. Electronic marketing requires consent or a narrow soft opt-in under e-privacy rules, and telemarketing must respect opt-out registers managed under ComReg frameworks.

Telecoms and spectrum - the European Electronic Communications Code is transposed in Ireland. ComReg oversees consumer protections, universal service, numbering, number portability, switching rules, net neutrality enforcement under the Open Internet Regulation and spectrum licensing for wireless services.

Infrastructure and planning - planning permissions for masts and certain communications structures are handled by Cork County Council under the Planning and Development Acts and local development plans. Wayleaves and street works require proper permissions and reinstatement obligations.

Electronic signatures - eIDAS sets the legal effect of electronic signatures. Advanced and qualified electronic signatures are recognised, but certain documents still require specific formalities, so legal advice is recommended for deeds, property and security documents.

Cybersecurity - Ireland has transposed the original NIS framework and is updating to NIS2. Essential and important entities face risk management, incident reporting and supply-chain diligence requirements. Monitor guidance from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and sectoral authorities.

Filming and drones - filming on public land often requires permits from local authorities. Drone operations are regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority, with operator registration, competency and risk requirements depending on the category of flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need consent for cookies on my website or app?

Yes for non-essential cookies and similar technologies such as analytics, advertising and tracking. Consent must be informed, specific, freely given and recorded. Pre-ticked boxes or implied consent are not valid. You must also provide a simple way to withdraw consent.

What should my platform’s terms and privacy notice include?

Clear descriptions of services, eligibility, user obligations, acceptable use, IP ownership and licensing, takedown processes, liability limits, termination, governing law and dispute resolution. Your privacy notice should explain purposes, legal bases, sharing, retention, rights and contact details, and reference cookies and international transfers where relevant.

How quickly must I notify a data breach?

If a personal data breach is likely to result in a risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms, you must notify the Data Protection Commission without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours of becoming aware. If there is a high risk to individuals, you must also inform affected people without undue delay.

Can I use competitor brand names in online ads or search keywords?

Using competitor marks as keywords may be permissible in limited contexts, but do not mislead users or suggest affiliation. Using marks in ad text or on landing pages can infringe trade marks or constitute passing off. Seek clearance before running comparative campaigns.

Who owns code or content created by a contractor?

Absent an express agreement, contractors usually own the IP they create and only grant a licence. Use a written contract assigning all IP to you on payment, with moral rights waivers where appropriate and obligations to deliver source files and assist with registrations.

What are the rules for email and SMS marketing?

You generally need prior opt-in consent from individuals, with a limited soft opt-in for existing customers for similar products. Always include your identity and an easy unsubscribe. Keep evidence of consent and respect opt-outs promptly.

Are electronic signatures valid in Ireland?

Yes. Under eIDAS, electronic signatures are valid and admissible. Qualified electronic signatures have the equivalent legal effect of handwritten signatures. Some documents still require wet-ink or witnessing, so confirm formalities before execution.

How do I handle a defamation complaint about user content?

Have a clear notice-and-action policy. Promptly assess the notice, contact the uploader where appropriate, and act expeditiously if content is unlawful. Keep records of decisions. Avoid admitting liability in early correspondence and seek legal advice for repeat or high-risk complaints.

What do I need to film in public spaces in Carrigaline or nearby?

For public land or roads, you typically need a permit from the local authority. Notify An Garda Siochana for traffic management where applicable. Secure location releases for private property, obtain insurance and follow IAA rules if using drones.

What are my obligations as a telecoms or broadband provider?

You must provide clear contract information, ensure number portability and switching without undue delay, meet quality-of-service duties, comply with net neutrality and consumer protection rules, and follow ComReg codes of practice. Spectrum use requires licensing.

Additional Resources

Data Protection Commission.

Coimisiun na Mean for broadcasting, online safety and Digital Services Act functions.

Commission for Communications Regulation - ComReg.

Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland.

Intellectual Property Office of Ireland.

IE Domain Registry for .ie domain policies.

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications for telecoms and cybersecurity policy.

Cork County Council - planning and filming permissions.

Cork City and County Film Office.

Law Society of Ireland for finding a solicitor.

Next Steps

Frame your issue - write a short summary of your goals, the services or content involved, who is affected and any timelines. Identify whether the matter is data protection, IP, marketing, telecoms, content or a mix.

Collect documents - gather contracts, policies, supplier DPAs, logs, consent records, notices, correspondence and any screenshots. For incidents, preserve evidence and restrict access on a need-to-know basis.

Map the data and systems - list what personal data you process, where it flows, your processors, transfer mechanisms and retention periods. This speeds up risk assessment and remediation.

Triage deadlines - note statutory timelines such as 72-hour breach notifications, DSA transparency reporting windows, consumer cooling-off and refund periods, and ComReg switching or complaint milestones.

Engage a specialist - seek a solicitor with media-tech-telecoms experience, ideally familiar with EU-level rules and local Cork planning and permitting. Ask for a scoped engagement letter, a practical risk assessment and a remediation plan with priorities.

Update policies and contracts - implement recommended changes to terms, privacy notices, cookie banners, processing agreements, content policies, marketing consents, SLAs and incident response plans. Train staff and document decisions.

Monitor and iterate - track regulatory updates from the DPC, Coimisiun na Mean and ComReg, and schedule periodic reviews of compliance, especially after new launches or integrations.

This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. If you face a specific issue in Carrigaline or elsewhere in Ireland, consult a qualified solicitor who can advise on your particular circumstances.