Hi, this is your last weekly round-up from OUT-LAW for 2008. (As always, there are plenty of other stories from this week. You can also access our archive of weekly emails). We'll be back on 5th January. Have a happy holiday.
This week's news on OUT-LAW.COM
UK will save its 48-hour opt-out, says employment lawyer
The European Parliament has voted to end the UK's opt-out of laws banning people
from working for more than 48 hours a week, but a leading employment lawyer has
said that the opt-out is likely to remain in place.
17/12/2008
Elton John loses landmark irony libel case
A spoof newspaper diary which claimed that Elton John's fundraising efforts were
principally designed to give him a chance to meet other celebrities and engage
in self-promotion was not libellous, the High Court has ruled.
17/12/2008
ISP can use unfair practices law to back unlawful interference claim, rules judge
An internet service provider (ISPs) can use an alleged breach of new laws on
unfair commercial practices, laws that it has no powers to enforce directly, as
the basis of a common law claim of 'unlawful interference', the High Court has
ruled.
17/12/2008
UK consults on copyright reform
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is asking whether laws on copyright
exceptions and the current system for rights clearance are too complicated. A
consultation on reforming the regime was published today.
16/12/2008
British Standard explains how to store data for use as evidence
A new British Standard has been published that aims to maximise the evidential
weight of electronic information held by companies. BS 10008 sets out
requirements for data management in companies to ensure the integrity of
information.
15/12/2008
Why an emoticon won't get a trade mark in the EU :-(
A Russian businessman says that he has trade marked the emoticon and that
commercial uses of punctuation marks to convey a wink will require a licence
costing over $10,000. A trade mark attorney said that his demands will be
irrelevant to uses in the EU.
15/12/2008
Your last chance to vote for OUT-LAW Radio (it'll only take a moment)
The American Bar Association Journal has shortlisted OUT-LAW Radio for the title of the web's best legal podcast. We'd love you to vote for us. (You can also listen to the last OUT-LAW Radio of 2008.)
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