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. Government net disconnections could scupper free Wi-Fi and breach EU laws, says expert The Government's Digital Economy Bill could be in breach of EU laws, according to an internet law expert. Professor Lilian Edwards has also warned that the Bill could make it impossible to operate a free wireless network legally. 26/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10558 2. Ad trade body urges 'non-disruptive' interpretation of cookie law A trade body representing advertisers has called on European countries not to implement new EU cookie laws in ways that would "disrupt" use of the internet. 26/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10556 3. Net disconnection requires involvement of judge, says Commissioner Countries which pass laws allowing for the termination of internet connections used by suspected file-sharers without the oversight of a judge will be breaking EU law, the European Commissioner responsible for telecoms policy has said. 24/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10549 4. Plans to improve consumer redress against financial firms being 'rushed through', says ABI Consumers will be able to bring class actions against banks, insurers and other financial services firms if the Government's Financial Services Bill comes into force. 24/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10547 5. UK equality laws fall short of EU requirements, says Commission The UK's equality laws are inadequate, according to the European Commission which has announced that it has begun legal action against the UK. The Government claims that new equality legislation will settle the dispute. 25/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10551 6. German authorities concerned about Google Analytics' data protection compliance, says report German data protection authorities are investigating whether Google's web traffic measurement system Google Analytics routinely infringes privacy laws, according to a German newspaper report. 25/11/2009 http://www.out-law.com/page-10555 ***OUT-LAW Radio: Does net cut-off plan break EU law?*** One academic has said that the disconnection of open Wi-Fi network operators for other people's actions under the Government's anti-filesharing plan could break EU law. 26/11/2009 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.