Osborne Clarke advised the newly formed Internet Matters venture on its incorporation and shareholders’ agreement with partners British Sky Broadcasting Limited, British Telecommunication plc, Talk Talk Telecom Limited and Virgin Media Limited.

Internet Matters.org is a world-leading child internet safety organisation founded by the UK’s four major broadband providers. The not-for-profit organisation sees the ‘big four’ put aside their commercial differences and join forces for the first time, to help parents safely navigate the internet with their children. The move will cement the UK’s position as a world-leader on child internet safety, advising parents to ‘learn about it, talk about it, deal with it’. It was launched by mother and daughter, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Janet Ellis. For information on the Internet Matters.org initiative please visit: www.internetmatters.org

The Osborne Clarke team was led by Partners John Davidson-Kelly and Adrian Bott and Senior Associate Liam Fitzpatrick with support from Partners Simon Neill (Competition) and Michael Bell (tax) and associate Ruth Hennessy (commercial). Hester Sunderland (TalkTalk) and Carolyn Bunting (General Manager, Internet Matters) led the process for the partners.

John Davidson-Kelly comments:

“Our digital business practice specialises in advising clients at the forefront of new media technologies. This significant transaction brings together the UK’s leading broadband providers for the first time and marks a leap for child internet safety in the UK.”