Alerts
Alerts archive 2009

Guangzhou passes legislation to bolster intellectual property rights protection at exhibitions

Guangzhou passes the Measures on Protection of Intellectual Property Rights at Exhibitions in the city's 87th Executive Session of the 13th Administration.

Beijing: Microsoft lawsuit

Microsoft filed a lawsuit against a do-it-yourself PC vendor Beijing Strong Well Future Technology Development in Zhongguancun, accusing it of using pirated Microsoft software.

Beijing: Pop star discs

Beijing customs agents on July 2 seized 2,099 discs they said were pirated and en route to the United States and United Kingdom.

Shanghai company pays 500,000 yuan for distributing counterfeit Louis Vuitton bags

In this case concerning counterfeit Louis Vuitton bags, the defendants were a couple called Lin Yizhong and Wu Beiwen and Zhong Wen was their trading company.

City name case

The Japan Patent Office has reported that the Chinese trade mark authorities, responding to a request from Tokyo, rejected applications to register eight prefectural names in Japan as brands for agricultural and other products.

Tactical trade marks and bad faith bunnies?

The European Court of Justice has provided guidance to the national Austrian court on the factors to be considered when determining whether a registration applied for in the knowledge that other very similar marks were being used in the Community.

Race discrimination in the construction industry

"Why is there an under-representation of non-white ethnic minority workers in the construction industry, and what should be done about it?"

Banking update: report and review on recent cases and issues

Charging order versus bankruptcy, enforcement of undertakings, valid guarantees and issues over service of proceedings, Wragge & Co's Banking and Finance experts bring you the latest on the cases and issues affecting the lending industry.

Unfair dismissal - pensions benefits are not unique says the Court of Appeal

A former employee immediately obtained a new job after being unfairly dismissed. As expected, the Tribunal did not award compensation for future loss of earnings. Unexpectedly, the EAT did agree that ongoing pension loss could nonetheless be considered.

Injunctions for breach of confidence - the 'springboard principle'

Vestergaard Frandsen A/S and the other claimants (VF) are in the business of the manufacture and sale of mosquito nets under the name PermaNet. They had developed a database relating to the manufacture of these nets referred to as the "Fence" database.

New powers of Information Commissioner push data protection up the risk register

Until now the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) could only envy other regulators with powers to impose fines and conduct audits. This is changing and the ICO will soon be empowered to conduct audits and issue fines.

Looking to raise some cash? Against IP?

To the surprise of many, Morgan Stanley has just announced a new US$250 million intellectual property securitisation for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a large US bio-tech company.

Needles and herbs

The Department of Health has taken further steps in assessing whether to extend regulation to a broader range of professional and occupational groups working in the healthcare sector.

OGC Two Point Three

The Office of Government Commerce launched the new OGC Model ICT Services Agreement Version 2.3 on 6 August, replacing last year's Version 2.2.1.

Remediation and liability: do it safely or else

The High Court decision in Corby Group Litigation v Corby District Council highlights the importance of ensuring that organisations, including local authorities and developers, take the issues of land remediation and environmental health seriously.

Proposals for the reform of the Patents County Court

Proposals have been put forward by the Working Group set up by the Intellectual Property Court Users Committee to reform the cost regime and procedures of the English Patent County Court.

Danfoss prevails in trademark first instance

Danfoss, a leading player in refrigeration and air conditioning equipments and parts, alleged in court that a refrigeration equipment company in Zhejiang was making products labelled with the Danfoss trade mark.

Launch of China IP Law Search, Beijing

IPR2, together with the Ministry of Commerce, will launch a new search tool for IP-related legal texts called China IP Law Search.

To try but not to succeed: R (Friends of the Earth and others) v Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

The Court of Appeal has recently given judgment in the case of R (Friends of the Earth and others) v Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change [2009] EWCA Civ 810 - a judicial review of the Government's failure to hit targets for fuel poverty.

Lacoste bites Wenzhou shoemaker

Six years after its settlement over a trade mark dispute with Hong Kong Crocodile, French designer Lacoste has launched another offensive. The company recently brought a trade mark infringement case before the Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court.

Baijia sues OKAI over trademark infringement

Sichuan Baijia Food Company, one of the largest instant noodle manufacturers in China, has filed a lawsuit against OKAI Import Export GmbH with the Munich District Court in Germany, asking the court to cancel OKAI's trade mark application.

Google China drops Beijing free rider

Search engine giant Google began its formal use of Chinese name (Guge) in 2006 when it established Chinese subsidiary Google China. Just one hour later, a company named Beijing Guge Technology (led by Tian) obtained government approval to be in business.

Regulating Energy Networks for the future

Ofgem has recently published the third Working Paper in its RPI-X@20 review. RPI-X@20 is a two-year project to evaluate the current approach to regulating Great Britain's energy networks.

Changes to pensions schemes: potential pitfalls for high earners

Where a company is looking at making a material change to the way in which benefits under its pension scheme are provided after 22 April 2009 or proposing to introduce a new arrangement there could be adverse tax consequences for high earning individuals.

NHS Foundation Trusts - buying a return ticket: new proposals for de-authorisation

On 27 July 2009, the Department of Health launched a consultation on introducing new legislation allowing for the de-authorisation of a NHS Foundation Trust.

Data protection in challenging times

It goes without saying that the current economic climate is presenting employers with numerous challenges. However, one issue that is often overlooked and increasing is the use of the Subject Access Request (SAR) contained in the Data Protection Act 1998.