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 ***Freedom of Information Scotland - 7th Annual Conference*** Edinburgh, 8th December 2009: Scotland’s annual Freedom of Information conference will hear from Kevin Dunion, the Scottish Information Commissioner, and examine the latest developments, including the potential extension of FOI laws and a series special, practical Masterclasses. See: http://foi.holyrood.com/ ***Free OUT-LAW Breakfast Seminars*** London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh October 2009: Behavioural advertising and the law November 2009: The future of payments See: http://www.out-law.com/page-6024 ***This week's highlights from OUT-LAW News*** 1. EU law does not upset UK plan for file-sharer disconnection, says lawyer British ISPs may be forced to disconnect customers accused of file-sharing without the need for a court hearing, according to a legal expert. Safeguards for internet access that were agreed by MEPs last week do not upset UK Government proposals, he said. 12/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10521 2. £500,000 maximum fine for data protection breaches: Government consults The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) would have the power to fine organisations up to £500,000 for serious breaches of data protection principles under plans announced this week by the Ministry of Justice. 11/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10517 3. Law Commissions oppose EU abolition of consumer right to reject faulty goods The UK should resist a proposal from Europe that would abolish the right of consumers to reject goods that turn out to be faulty, according to a report from the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission. 11/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10515 4. Libel law reform campaigners seek £10,000 damages cap English libel law imposes disproportionate restrictions on free speech, according to an independent report that recommends 10 changes to the laws. The Ministry of Justice said today that it will launch a consultation on defamation and the internet. 10/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10513 5. ASA's remit to extend to website content An industry rule-book for marketing communications in the UK is being amended to cover website content for the first time. Statements on websites could face sanctions from an industry body as soon as next summer even if they don't break any laws. 10/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10511 6. Consent will be required for cookies in Europe EDITORIAL: A law that demands consent to internet cookies has been approved and will be in force across the EU within 18 months. It is so breathtakingly stupid that the normally law-abiding business may be tempted to bend the rules to breaking point. 09/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10510 ***OUT-LAW Radio is taking a break but will return soon*** 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.