Mailin Bala

Mailin advises clients on the development, acquisition, protection, licensing, and exploitation of intellectual property, to support businesses to maximise value, mitigate risk, and align IP strategy with broader business objectives.

• Produced a comprehensive template AI content licence agreement for a global intergovernmental organisation, enabling the licensing of its proprietary content and data for use in AI models. The agreement was designed to provide flexibility for various types of AI models and to facilitate the granting of distinct and discrete rights, tailored to different use cases.
• Supported a content provider in connection with its negotiation and implementation of contracts relating to its partnership with NEOM (Saudi Arabia’s new smart city) for Oxagon (which will be the world’s largest floating city). Work included negotiating the terms of the metaverse as a service (MAAS) agreement and the related statements of work, with a focus on apportioning and aligning liability and risk between parties and ensuring robust IP protection.
• Served as acting Global IP and Technology Counsel to a global consultancy business, providing strategic guidance during a period of significant digital product development. Key work included drafting intra-group agreements governing the treatment and transfer of IP, such as software code arising from services delivered, to digital product businesses, advising on the protection and co-production of IP in connection with joint ventures, conducting IP due diligence to determine the provenance of digital products and identify opportunities for IP registration, and supporting group-wide trademark and patent strategies.
• Advised a global telecommunications company on the training of its AI technologies on copyrighted materials.
• Acted for a leading global provider of platform, channel, and content protection services (including identification of piracy content). Work included liaising with the tech team to interrogate the robustness of the technology and its ownership and making recommendations to mitigate risk and perfect title to IP.
• Conducted an IP audit for a digital educational publisher to identify gaps in the chain of title of its assets and created a suite of templates contracts to ensure the capture of intellectual property going forwards.
• Advised on the protection and exploitation of a global business’ intellectual property in the context of its complex intellectual property ownership structure, its future growth plans globally, and its key supplier contracts.
• Acted for a global consultancy business in connection with its IP maximiser programme, including identification of background and newly created intellectual property and devising and implementing strategy for its protection.
• Supported the publishing team of an inter-governmental organisation to assess risk of IP infringement in respect of legacy assets and implemented fresh protocols, guidance, and training to enable team to leverage assets.
• Unpicked a complex web of IP ownership and licensing issues for the new owner of an IP estate created over the course of 45 years across a variety of territories, including identifying gaps in title, implementing corrective course of actions, and devising protocols and templates to ensure improved acquisition of rights moving forward.
• Worked with tax advisors to implement intra-group assignments and licences for the most tax-efficient home for intellectual property within a global group.
• Advised brands, production houses, and other companies within the creative industries on a variety of agreements dealing with acquisition and exploitation of intellectual property, including option, development, co-production and talent agreements.

Mailin advises clients on acquisition, collation, licensing, and protection of data assets, conducting audits, and implementing licensing agreements.

• Supported numerous clients in connection with their worldwide collation of business intelligence, including the tools, platforms, and collaborators through which that data is collated.
• Conducted data audits to identify and demarcate data ownership, including advising on original, derived data, and usage data.
• Advised on the protection of data and data compilations as intellectual property assets, including copyright and database rights.
• Reviewed and advised on the acquisition/licensing of third-party data and drafted licensing and subscription terms for B2B and B2C customers.
• Conducted an audit of data licence agreements for a global insurance provider to enable the commercial team to understand how to leverage existing data for additional services and products.

Mailin advises clients operating digital platforms and services on GDPR and data protection compliance across B2C and B2B contexts, supporting cross-border data collection, operations, and risk mitigation through tailored toolkits, policies, and governance frameworks.

• Advised 3.0 healthcare provider on the use of biometric scans in connection with its SaaS platform, including devising consent mechanisms for patients and drafting related privacy notices both for itself and its clinic customers.
• Advised various TV production companies on their data protection compliance protocols, including procedures for acquisition of consents, contributor (including child contributor) releases, DPIAs, legitimate interest assessments, appropriate policy documents, data retention and criminal offence data compliance.
• Supported a high-profile management company of properties for TV, fashion and music on data protection issues, including in connection with use of personal data for a variety of its clients, including in connection with the Spice Girls reunion tour.
• Advised a platform owner on the collation and use of personal data through various means, including digitally through webforms placed on its clients’ sites and via advertising campaigns on third-party platforms, via telephone and in person for use in connection with its clients and their end users’ dental practices.
• Worked with the data protection function of a global betting company in connection with its data protection compliance campaign, regarding collation and processing of customer, franchisee, employee and ‘rest of world’ personal data, including an intra-group data sharing agreement.
• Drafted the release forms and relevant consents for a TV production company, in connection with both child and adult contributors, including DPIA, privacy notices, and protocols for obtaining consents.
• Advised a global television channel  on GDPR and the lawful basis for filming, including the journalism exemption.
• Produced a direct marketing playbook for a cross-border client to support its marketing team in connection with their marketing campaigns.
• Supported a global gaming operator in connection with its customer-facing data protection compliance programme, in respect of data collected from its global business and its franchisee operations.
• Produced data protection toolkits for numerous clients, comprising a suite of templates, notices (including easy-read versions), guidance, and training to help them achieve GDPR compliance.

Mailin advises a breadth of clients across various sectors on commercial contracts and procurement strategies, with a focus on IP, data, and digital technology elements in clients’ B2B and B2C ventures.

• Advised an award-winning design and architectural practice in connection with a number of its projects, including the move of the Museum of London at West Smithfield and installations for high-profile brands (including Coca-Cola and Swarovski) worldwide.
• Supported a Premier League football club, including in connection with front-of-stadium digital and pitch-side signage, third-party Wi-Fi installation, and its strategic partnership agreement, identifying scope for potential additional revenue streams.
• Worked alongside key stakeholders for a consumer electronics giant, to complete a review and refresh of commercial contracting and procurement procedures as well as standard contractual documentation and protocols, including standard sales and purchase conditions, standard NDAs, guarantee documentation, and customer and supplier diligence documentation.
• Assisted an acquirer of a multi-million-pound high-profile hair transplant business to put in place a contractual framework for medical services to be supplied by surgeons.
• Devised a variety of intra-group agreements for global businesses in connection with cross-group provision of services and licensing of digital products.
• Advised high-profile buyers and investors on multi-million-pound corporate transactions, including reporting on the commercial, intellectual property, data protection and technology-related elements of sales, purchases and/or investments in businesses, with a focus on technology and retail.
• Acted as virtual in-house counsel for a national newspaper on a variety of agreements in connection with the operation of its business, including supply and services agreements, print and distribution agreements, strategic alliances, data licensing agreements, content syndication and payment processing agreements.

Mailin advises clients across digital platforms and services to address build, commercial, content, and operational challenges, to develop strategies and processes that support product launch, expansion and international scale.

• Advised a digital media agency on its engagement of high-profile brands and celebrities in connection with their social media campaigns, including live web broadcasting from social media platforms and the provision of social media products and services.
• Supported an adult entertainment platform in connection with its platform compliance (including the Online Safety Act), content licensing, customer relationships (both creator and user), and privacy frameworks.
• Advised a global publisher on the rollout of its digital product (including content mapped to the national curriculum) to its distribution network across South East Asia, including drafting distribution agreement.
• Acted as in-house virtual lawyer to legal case and practice management SaaS provider, including advising in connection with its XC365 platform, identifying and managing risk under its Microsoft Partner Agreement and drafting template customer subscription agreement and negotiation of customer agreements.
• Advised an educational publisher on its SaaS offering, made available to educational authorities, schools and parents, including framework and B2B and B2C subscription T&Cs.
• Acted for a TV production company on a variety of its digital initiatives, involving platform development, compliance, competitions, and online marketing.
• Advised an ideas agency on a suite of templates in connection with its brand partnerships and influencer agreements.
• Advised a marketing company on app development and customer relationships in connection with its CRM platform built to generate and follow up leads between dental practices and its customers.

Mailin advises clients across the media and publishing industries, navigating a broad range of commercial, intellectual property, compliance and content-related matters from rights acquisition and licensing to regulatory risk and digital strategy.

• Supported a creative studio at the intersection of technology and art by drafting a suite of template documents for the acquisition and licensing of immersive experiences for high-profile brands and landmark venues.
• Advised the owner and worldwide manager of intellectual property created by the world’s leading authority in the field of creative and conceptual thinking, Dr Edward de Bono, on a variety of rights and licensing issues, including in connection with its global training programme.
• Advised a variety of media companies on numerous builds of platforms, including the digital home of Harry Potter (including e-commerce and experiential site) and apps developed for Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s KEO Films.
• Acted for the publishing team of global,  intergovernmental organisation, whose remit is to support democracy and electoral assistance worldwide, in connection with digital release templates to secure rights in third-party content for global use and managing risks associated with updates to Creative Commons licence terms.
• Advised TV production houses on commissioning and distribution agreements with major broadcasters, including the BBC for ‘Sarah and Duck’, a successful pre-school animation for CBeebies.
• Negotiated a production agreement for a Premier League football club in connection with its decision to agree to a fly-on-the-wall documentary.
• Advised on merchandising and sponsorship agreements, including with Disney, Penguin Clothing, and Financial Times.
• Conducted an IP audit for a digital educational publisher to identify gaps in the chain of title of its assets and created a suite of templates contracts to ensure the capture of intellectual property going forwards.
• Worked with a variety of publishers (including trade, educational and academic publishers) to put in place strategic partnership agreements and template author contributor, co-contributor, and collaboration agreements and accompanying guidance as well as training for the client to deploy procedures and templates.

Mailin works with technology-driven businesses on IP, digital strategy, compliance, and data governance, to support innovation across software, AI, digital platforms, and next-generation tech initiatives.

• Advised 3.0 healthcare platform in connection with the licensing in healthcare-focused AI technologies, including negotiation of the licence and the preparation of a template subscription agreement to healthcare SaaS platform for its clinic customers.
• Supported a provider of compression software technology, including the commissioning of a re-build of its software, the commissioning of media assets, and the production of a download licence for its B2B and B2C customers.
• Acted as in-house virtual lawyer to a legal case and practice management SaaS provider, including advising in connection with its XC365 platform, including identifying and managing risk under its Microsoft Partner Agreement and advising on negotiation potential.
• Advised a multinational group in the gaming sector on the intra-group transfer of proprietary technology to a newly established gaming software spin-off in preparation for a future exit. This included developing and implementing a strategy to structure and document the transfer of intellectual property assets, ensuring the spin-off had clear legal ownership and freedom to operate, and addressing commercial considerations to support a smooth transition and enhance the spin-off’s readiness for sale.
• Acted as Global IP and Technology Counsel to a global consultancy business, providing strategic guidance during a period of significant digital product development. Key work included auditing the creation of software code intra-group and putting in place intra-group agreements governing the treatment and transfer of IP in such code to the most appropriate company intra-group.
• Advised a semiconductor company on day-to-day issues, including reviewing its use of open source software, and drafting robust end-user licence terms.
• Negotiated a SaaS agreement between a regulated credit card provider and a data platform provider, including identifying risk and mitigating risk in connection with the proposed relationship.
• Drafted and negotiated agreements for the build of platforms, including the digital home of Harry Potter (including e-commerce and experiential site) and Macmillan’s e-learning platform.
• Advised an automotive insurer on an agreement for acquisition of black box telematics for sale in conjunction with its insurance policies, and on a strategic partnerships for installation services.
• Advised an educational publisher on its SaaS offering, made available to educational authorities, schools and parents, including framework and B2B and B2C subscription T&Cs.
• Advised a global publisher on the rollout of its digital product (including content mapped to the national curriculum) to its distribution network across South East Asia.

Mailin advises clients in the retail sector on IP, digital, technology, and data, including digital retail platforms, compliance programmes, T&Cs, website content, and advertising, marketing, and promotions.

• Advised retail businesses in connection with their digital products and services offerings, including the build of their platforms, service delivery, T&Cs, and compliance.
• Drafted and advised on compliance in respect of B2C consumer terms for a variety of platforms, including information only sites (e.g. Martin Lewis’ Moneysavingexpert.com), online marketplaces, facilitation and crowdfunder sites. Work included crafting customer relationship documentation, including T&Cs, delivery, cancellation and returns policies, and privacy notices.
• Advised a Premier League football club on a range of issues, including season ticket T&Cs, and membership offerings.
• Supported high-profile brands on their promotional campaigns, including those published via social media, including advertorials and influencer posts (e.g. the distribution of live event recordings over Vevo and other social media channels, including a live webcast of Littlewoods live marketing event on its Facebook page).
• Provided compliance advice in relation to website and marketing content, including with e-commerce, consumer protection, data protection, and advertising laws and regulations, including ASA and CAP codes.
• Advice and training for various retailers on running promotions and competitions, on products, online and on social media, and prepared relevant documentation.

Mailin advises automotive clients on business intelligence, telematics, SaaS platforms, fleet connectivity, software development, online presence, and strategic partnerships, supporting both B2B and B2C digital and technology-driven solutions.

• Advising a data supplier on leveraging AI to create enhanced products and on AI terms and conditions to govern client usage of proprietary data in client AI models.
• Advised an automotive insurer on an agreement for acquisition of black box telematics for sale in conjunction with its insurance policies, and on a strategic partnerships for installation services.
• Drafting suite of template order forms and accompanying terms and conditions across various verticals for automotive business intelligence provider.
• Advised a global automotive market research company on a software development consultancy agreement for the build of a new SaaS platform.
• Supported an automotive business intelligence client with its worldwide collation of business intelligence, including the tools, platforms and collaborators through which/from whom that data is collated.
• Crafted T&Cs for a provider of fleet and connectivity solutions to cater for its B2B and B2C electric vehicle charging solutions.
• Advised dealerships on their online presence, including in connection with their promotional campaigns.
• Advised on strategic alliances and partnerships, including a global automotive services company, in connection with its reseller agreements.

Recognised by The Legal 500 for IT and Telecoms 2026

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Intellectual property 2025

Member of Society of Computers and Law