HIGH FAT SUGAR & SALT RESTRICTIONS: WHAT THE FIRST ASA RULINGS MEAN FOR BRANDS

​When the UK’s new restrictions on paid advertising for high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) and “less healthy” food (LHF) and drink products came into force in January 2026, many brands were still working through what the rules would mean in practice. Six months on, the Advertising Standards Authority’s early rulings show where the regulatory lines are being drawn.

The first decisions are important because they confirm that the HFSS legislation is not just a food advertising issue. The regulations affect retailers, agencies, influencers, ad networks, platforms and, in some cases, brands outside the food and drink sector where paid advertising features identifiable HFSS products.

INTA 2026: WHAT THE CONVERSATIONS TOLD US

INTA 2026 brought together in-house teams, international firms and brand owners at a time when the demands on IP counsel are changing. Across the week, conversations in sessions and around the conference highlighted several themes that felt particularly relevant for both in-house lawyers and foreign attorneys managing UK matters.

PLAYING BY THE RULES: IP AND AMBUSH MARKETING AT THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on 11 June, running across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada and Mexico until the final on 19 July. With 48 teams and 104 matches, it will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, and the commercial activity surrounding it reflects that scale.

DOTBRAND APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN: WHAT BRANDS NEED TO KNOW

A domain is the unique address people type to find your website. It’s a core part of your visual identity and one of the most valuable brand assets a business can own. A clean, distinctive domain carries weight. It signals professionalism, strengthens brand recall and avoids confusion in a crowded online environment.  

NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT OAT DRINK?

The UK Supreme Court recently confirmed that Oatly can no longer use the word “milk” in its slogan “POST MILK GENERATION” for oat‑based foods and drinks, as “milk” is a protected designation under retained EU law. The judgment upholds the Court of Appeal’s finding that the trade mark must be invalidated because it uses the term “milk” in relation to a non‑milk product.

PUBLIC FIGURES AND PRIVACY

High-profile media disputes like Prince Harry, Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley taking on Associated Newspapers (publishers of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday) often dominate headlines, but these cases are about far more than celebrity culture.

LEVELLING UP OUR IP LITIGATION PRACTICE

With more than fifteen years of experience as an IP lawyer, Brandsmiths’ newest Partner, Aminder Khatkar, strengthens the firm’s commitment to delivering thoughtful, client focused support built on deep expertise and care.

CHELSEA’S FA CHARGES: WHAT CAN OTHER CLUBS LEARN ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND SELF-REPORTING?

The Football Association (the “FA”) has charged Chelsea Football Club (“Chelsea”) with alleged breaches of Regulations J1 and C2 of The FA Football Agents Regulations, Regulations A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Regulations A1 and B3 of The FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations. Here, Courtney Bryan-Isaacs explains what other clubs can learn about transparency and self-reporting.

BRANDSMITHS CLIMBS THE LEGAL 500 RANKINGS AND NAMED AS FIRM TO WATCH

Huge news from Brandsmiths HQ – we’ve had our biggest ever success in the Legal 500 2026 rankings, making significant moves up the tables and securing a number of individual recognitions. Our new trade marks, copyright and designs team has also been recognised within the PATMA: Trade mark attorneys category, despite only being established in Summer 2024.

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