Hi, This is the last OUT-LAW round-up for 2008. We'll be back on 5th January 2009. Until then, have a happy holiday. (As always, click the links to read the full stories of the summaries below or see these and many other stories from this week's news at http://www.out-law.com/page-5951. You can also access our archive of weekly emails at http://www.out-law.com/page-7793.) The OUT-LAW Team ***This week's highlights from OUT-LAW News*** 1. 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 http://www.out-law.com/page-9667 2. 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 http://www.out-law.com/page-9668 3. 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 http://www.out-law.com/page-9666 4. 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 http://www.out-law.com/page-9660 5. 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 http://www.out-law.com/page-9655 6. 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 http://www.out-law.com/page-9657 ***OUT-LAW Radio needs your vote!*** 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. Tick our box to vote: http://www.abajournal.com/blawgs/blawg100_2008/podcasts Listen to the last OUT-LAW Radio of 2008: http://www.out-law.com/page-7212 ***About this email*** This is a weekly email for subscribers of OUT-LAW.COM, a website with more than 8,000 pages of free legal news and guidance. If and when you need further advice, we hope you'll choose Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind OUT-LAW.COM. Feel free to forward this email to your friends. If someone forwarded this email to you and you'd like your own subscription, register free at http://www.out-law.com. Existing subscribers: you can manage your profile at http://www.out-law.com/page-520. The email address for this subscription is <>. Feel free to give us your feedback by replying to this email. To unsubscribe, please reply with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. (We'd also appreciate you telling us why you've decided to unsubscribe.) This email is sent on behalf of Pinsent Masons LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales (registered number: OC333653) and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The word 'partner', used in relation to the LLP, refers to a member of the LLP or an employee or consultant of the LLP or any affiliated firm who has equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of the members of the LLP, and of those non-members who are designated as partners, is displayed at the LLP's registered office: CityPoint, One Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9AH, United Kingdom.