Recent Articles

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  14/05/2024

  Germany

  UPC Test

  SourceDate of decisionPartiesCase numberOrder/decision referenceDecision keywords/headnotesUnderlying type of proceedingsSpecific request/applicationType of decisionRelevant Rule(s) of Procedure / Art(t). of the UPCACompetent judicial bodyLanguage of the proceedingsCourse of the proceedingsAnalysis CMS/link to blog postPatent(s) in dispute (title(s))                06.05.2024Panasonic Holdings Corporation ./. Xiaomi Inc. et al.UPC_CFI_219/2023ORD_25614/2024Due to the foreign service now to be made in accordance with...

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  14/05/2024

  Romania

  Romania unveils state aid scheme to boost private investments

  The Romanian government has introduced a EUR 450 m state aid scheme to incentivise investments across key sectors of the Romanian economy.The core objective of this initiative is to provide non-repayable funding to private enterprises undertaking investments with a substantial impact on the economy. These investments must surpass the threshold of RON 50 million (EUR 10 million) in eligible costs and focus on innovation and sustainability. The scheme is designed to stimulate economic growth by supporting ventures aligned with Romania's long-term development goals.To qualify for funding, companies...

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  14/05/2024

  Hungary

  EU introduces criminal offences and penalties for sanctions violations

  Criminal offencesUnder the Directive, the following conduct constitutes a criminal offence when committed intentionally and in violation of restrictive measures or a national provision implementing restrictive measures:making funds or economic resources available directly or indirectly to, or for the benefit of, a designated person, entity or body;failing to freeze funds or economic resources belonging to or owned, held or controlled by a designated person, entity or body;enabling designated natural persons to enter into, or transit through, the territory of a EU member state;entering into or continuing...

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  14/05/2024

  Ukraine

  Ukraine improves corporate governance in SOEs

  On 8 March 2024, the long-awaited law on improvement of corporate governance in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) (Law) came into force. The Law was developed as part of a general state sector reform with due consideration of international best practices, including the OECD Guidelines for Corporate Governance of SOEs. Its objective is to reduce political pressure on SOEs’ management, mitigate corruption risks and enhance the effectiveness of state companies’ management.The major changes introduced by the Law in relation to SOEs include the following:State ownership policy. A new concept...

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  14/05/2024

  England and Wales

  Update on Business rates

  Summary  This Law-Now1 summarises some recent developments in relation to business rates following the Spring Budget 2024 and the Government’s summary of responses to the Business Rates Avoidance and Evasion consultation.Business Rates: Avoidance and Evasion – change to reset periodEmpty Property Relief (“EPR”) operates by giving owners of empty non-domestic properties 100% relief for the first three months (or six months for industrial properties) after a property becomes empty. If the property remains empty once such relief period ends, the owner must pay the property’s...

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  13/05/2024

  United Kingdom

  Upheld: ASA rules against ProgressPlay betting ad

  On 8 May 2024, the Advertising Standards Authority (the “ASA”) issued a ruling against ProgressPlay Ltd t/a JeffBet for featuring a misleading promotional offer on their website that implied eligibility for all new JeffBet customers.The AdvertisementIn November 2023, the JeffBet website featured a “BET £10 AND GET £30 FREE BET” promotion on its homepage. The terms and conditions stated in small print that the offer was for “New Players Only” and included a link to the full terms and conditions.The complainant, who was not eligible for the promotion...

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