Hi, here is your weekly round-up of highlights from OUT-LAW News. As always, there are plenty of other stories from this week. You can also access our archive of weekly emails. New criminal investigation powers granted to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) by consumer protection laws have been used for the first time. The OFT has conducted raids while investigating a suspected scam in Bristol. News agency The Associated Press (AP) has won the right to fight a court battle to defend a property right over facts. Copyright law does not protect facts, but AP has been permitted to make its defence based on a 1918 case on 'hot news'. A woman who took a case for harassment against British Gas has won a settlement from the company. One legal expert said that the case should act as a warning to all firms to make sure their debt collection and complaint handling operations communicate. New regulations implementing the 'polluter pays' principle for environmental damage come into force in England on 1st March 2009, nearly two years after an EU Directive's original deadline. Online retailers cannot reclaim some of the purchase price of goods even if they are returned after a long time and have given the user some benefit, an advocate general of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has said. Companies which follow computer maker Hewlett-Packard's lead and attempt to cut staff wages risk triggering redundancy law payouts if they do not consult staff properly, an employment lawyer has warned. OUT-LAW Radio: returns next week
This week's news on OUT-LAW.COM
OFT pursues first criminal action under Unfair Trading Regulations
26/02/2009Court allows AP to assert intellectual property right over facts
26/02/2009Debt collection can be harassment: British Gas ruling sends warning to all suppliers
26/02/2009England's new environmental liability regime will see polluters pay
25/02/2009E-tailers can't reclaim value of use of returned goods, says ECJ advisor
24/02/2009Pay cut consultations could trigger redundancy payments, warns employment expert
24/02/2009
Friday, 27 February 2009
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