Space, the law's new frontier. Interview with Ana Rita Paínho

How the expansion of space activities in Portugal is redefining the role of lawyers and legislators in a rapidly evolving sector. The new decree established rules for licensing and sustainability, facilitating the establishment of launch centers by private companies and simplifying administrative procedures. According to Ana Rita Paínho, partner in the life sciences, intellectual property, and TMT departments at Sérvulo & Associados, the new legislation “aims to stimulate opportunities and flexibility in the establishment of launch centers, a positive approach that must now be tested.” Changes in international legislation, however, may impact the practice of Space Law locally. 

 

SÉRVULO, meanwhile, already had a set of clients interested in the field, served by its technology, media, and telecommunications practices, but the firm decided to create a space law department in March. “We noticed a growing market interest in satellite communications constellations, as well as in adjacent areas of manufacturing components for space launches. The sector's growth and demand for innovative solutions in software, components, and production have a direct impact on intellectual property and TMT”, explains partner Ana Rita Paínho.

 

According to Ana Rita Paínho, another important issue is space debris. “It is necessary to establish regulations on the shared use of outer space, the launching of objects into space, their removal, and return”, she ponders. Also, it is important to consider what is yet unknown. “In a sector marked by rapid technological evolution, we always have to ‘deal’ with things that weren’t foreseen”, states Paínho.

 

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