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. The UK High Court will have to decide if Marks and Spencer (M&S) has interfered with the reputation of an Interflora trade mark in a case that could change the way keyword advertising operates. Sections of the UK's Digital Economy Act (DEA) that deal with tackling online copyright infringement should be abolished, the Liberal Democrat party has said. Sony has changed the terms and conditions of its PlayStation Network (PSN) and asked its users to sign away their right to collective redress but a UK lawyer has said that the clause may not be upheld by UK courts. Google's business model is forcing EU regulators to take "special care" in their assessment of whether the search giant is abusing its market dominance in breach of EU laws, Europe's Competition Commissioner has said. US inventors will no longer have to engage in legal tussles over who came up with an idea first after a US President Barack Obama signed a new patent Act into law. The Government plans to cut down on payments made to encourage employees to give up some pension rights. The Government has proposed centralising all existing UK consumer protection laws and regulations under a new Consumer Bill of Rights. The UK could become one of the world's top five suppliers to leading global manufacturers over the next two years, a survey by leading economists has revealed. A major motor insurer has been "boosting profits" beyond the actual costs it incurs carrying out repairs, a County Court judge has said. Retailers which connect their online and offline businesses had bigger growths in sales between 2007 and 2010, a study commissioned by a digital agency has said. EU countries will be able to continue to operate rescue packages for troubled banks for longer than previously thought, EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia has said. New legislation published and taking effect from last Thursday will stop the use of manufactured overseas dividends (MODs) in a tax avoidance scheme, the Government has said. This week's news on Out-Law.com
TMT & Sourcing and IP
Use of keywords will depend on High Court's view of trade mark reputation
22/08/2011Lib-Dems back repeal Digital Economy Act's copyright infringement measures
21/08/2011Sony asks customers to waive right to collective redress
21/08/2011Free service for users prompts EU investigators to take 'special care' over Google case
20/08/2011US patents will be issued on 'first to file' basis after law change
19/08/2011Pensions
Pensions minister promises to tackle pension transfer 'bungs'
22/08/2011Commercial
Government proposes single catch-all consumer protection law
21/08/2011Manufacturing
Economists predict UK's emergence as top five manufacturing supplier, survey says
20/08/2011Insurance
Car insurer's repair costs "cannot be in the public interest", judge says
20/08/2011Retail and leisure
Study claims sales growth jump for retailers who integrate shops and web
19/08/2011Banks
EU Commission extends relaxing of rules on state aid to banks
19/08/2011Tax
Government proposes legislation to beat avoidance scheme
19/08/2011
Friday, 23 September 2011
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