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This week's news on Out-Law.com
TMT & Sourcing and IP
Use of keywords will depend on High Court's view of trade mark reputation
The UK High Court will have to decide if Marks and Spencer (M&S) has
interfered with the reputation of an Interflora trade mark in a case that could
change the way keyword advertising operates.
22/08/2011
Lib-Dems back repeal Digital Economy Act's copyright infringement measures
Sections of the UK's Digital Economy Act (DEA) that deal with tackling online
copyright infringement should be abolished, the Liberal Democrat party has said.
21/08/2011
Sony asks customers to waive right to collective redress
Sony has changed the terms and conditions of its PlayStation Network (PSN) and
asked its users to sign away their right to collective redress but a UK lawyer
has said that the clause may not be upheld by UK courts.
21/08/2011
Free service for users prompts EU investigators to take 'special care' over Google case
Google's business model is forcing EU regulators to take "special care" in their
assessment of whether the search giant is abusing its market dominance in breach
of EU laws, Europe's Competition Commissioner has said.
20/08/2011
US patents will be issued on 'first to file' basis after law change
US inventors will no longer have to engage in legal tussles over who came up
with an idea first after a US President Barack Obama signed a new patent Act
into law.
19/08/2011
Pensions
Pensions minister promises to tackle pension transfer 'bungs'
Pensions minister promises to tackle pension transfer 'bungs'
The Government plans to cut down on payments made to encourage employees to
give up some pension rights.
22/08/2011
Commercial
Government proposes single catch-all consumer protection law
The Government has proposed centralising all existing UK consumer protection
laws and regulations under a new Consumer Bill of Rights.
21/08/2011
Manufacturing
Economists predict UK's emergence as top five manufacturing supplier, survey
says
Economists predict UK's emergence as top five manufacturing supplier, survey says
The UK could become one of the world's top five suppliers to leading global
manufacturers over the next two years, a survey by leading economists has
revealed.
20/08/2011
Insurance
Car insurer's repair costs "cannot be in the public interest", judge says
Car insurer's repair costs "cannot be in the public interest", judge says
A major motor insurer has been "boosting profits" beyond the actual costs it
incurs carrying out repairs, a County Court judge has said.
20/08/2011
Retail and leisure
Study claims sales growth jump for retailers who integrate shops and web
Study claims sales growth jump for retailers who integrate shops and web
Retailers which connect their online and offline businesses had bigger growths
in sales between 2007 and 2010, a study commissioned by a digital agency has
said.
19/08/2011
Banks
EU Commission extends relaxing of rules on state aid to banks
EU countries will be able to continue to operate rescue packages for troubled
banks for longer than previously thought, EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin
Almunia has said.
19/08/2011
Tax
Government proposes legislation to beat avoidance scheme
Government proposes legislation to beat avoidance scheme
New legislation published and taking effect from last Thursday will stop the use
of manufactured overseas dividends (MODs) in a tax avoidance scheme, the
Government has said.
19/08/2011
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