Hi, Here is your weekly round-up of highlights from OUT-LAW News. 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. Jeweller's press release highlights need for quality control in brand licences A trade mark owner can take action against a business partner for damaging its brand even if the two have agreed on some trade mark use. But brand licensing agreements that give too much freedom could be fatal to such claims, a lawyer has said. 08/01/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-9697 2. Play.com told to back up price claims for second time in a year Online music retailer Play.com has been criticised by the UK's advertising watchdog for the second time in a year for claims about the savings it offers. The company has been told not to repeat the claims. 08/01/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-9695 3. UK's listed firms must tell markets of serious executive problems, says expert Stock market-listed companies have a duty to inform shareholders if an executive's illness threatens to affect the firm's performance, a company law expert has said. That duty does not bind unlisted UK firms, he said. 07/01/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-9694 4. Prepare your company for a more-litigious 2009 OPINION: Your company faces the likelihood of more disputes this year as the recession bites. My advice is to prepare for that by taking some important steps now, rather than waiting until you sue or get sued. 07/01/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-9692 5. Homophobic abuse is unlawful regardless of victim's sexuality, court rules A person does not need to be gay to be protected against homophobic abuse in the workplace, the Court of Appeal has ruled. The ruling extends harassment legislation to situations where someone is teased for being something they clearly are not. 06/01/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-9689 6. Ofcom warns telcos over penalties hidden in consumer contracts Telecoms companies must be clearer about additional charges they levy and must help customers to understand them better, telecoms regulator Ofcom has said. 05/01/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-9686 ***OUT-LAW Radio: Parody libel defence gains traction*** How Elton John's failed libel action has introduced a US-style defence of parody into UK law, and one Dutch firm's holey solution to an eco-problem 08/01/2009 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.