Hi, here is your weekly round-up of highlights from Out-Law News. As always, there are plenty of other stories from this week at http://www.out-law.com. You can also access our archive of weekly emails at http://out-law.com/en/newsletter/weekly-round-up/ The Out-Law Team ***This week's highlights from Out-Law News*** TMT & Sourcing and IP 1. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/use-of-keywords-will-depend-on-high-courts-view-of-trade-mark-reputation/ 2. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/lib-dems-back-repeal-digital-economy-acts-copyright-infringement-measures/ 3. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/sony-asks-customers-to-waive-right-to-collective-redress/ 4. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/free-service-for-users-prompts-eu-investigators-to-take-special-care-over-google-case/ 5. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/us-patents-will-be-issued-on-first-to-file-basis-after-law-change/ 6. Government already has network suspension powers if public order threatened The Government has the power to suspend communications networks in the interests of public safety or national security. Communications network operators have told MPs that such bans would not improve public safety. 19/08/2011 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/government-already-has-network-suspension-powers-if-public-order-threatened/ 7. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/pensions-minister-promises-to-tackle-pension-buy-out-bungs/ Commercial 8. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/government-proposes-single-catch-all-consumer-protection-law/ Manufacturing 9. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/economists-predict-uks-emergence-as-top-five-manufacturing-supplier-survey-says/ Insurance 10. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/car-insurers-repair-costs-cannot-be-in-the-public-interest-judge-says/ Retail and leisure 11. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/study-claims-sales-growth-jump-for-retailers-who-integrate-shops-and-web/ Banks 12. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/eu-commission-extends-relaxing-of-rules-on-state-aid-to-banks/ Tax 13. 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 http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2011/september/government-proposes-legislation-to-beat-avoidance-scheme/ ***About this email*** This is a weekly email for subscribers of Out-Law.com, a website with more than 10,000 pages of free legal news and guidance. 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