Consumer Products - food & drink

Recent Articles

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  08/04/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary proposes ex-ante competition tool to regulate essential companies

  On 2 April 2024, the Hungarian Ministry of Justice submitted an omnibus act to the Hungarian parliament proposing the amendment of several Hungarian laws, including the Competition Act. This Proposal’s most noteworthy element is – based on the German example – expanding the Hungarian Competition Authority’s (HCA) toolbox by introducing a new ex-ante regime enabling the HCA to impose obligations on certain companies without first having to demonstrate a violation of the law.This following article summarises the Proposal’s new rules, potential consequences and next steps.PROPOSED...

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  03/04/2024

  Ukraine

  Register of Damage for Ukraine is open for claims submission

  On 2 April 2024, the Register of Damage for Ukraine opened the claims submission process for compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. The launch took place as part of the Ministerial Conference "Restoring Justice for Ukraine" co-hosted by the Netherlands, Ukraine and the European Commission at the World Forum in The Hague.As a reminder, the official website of the Register of Damage for Ukraine was launched on 4 March 2024. The website contains the following:documents governing the work of the Register;answers to frequently asked questions on the Register’s...

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  22/03/2024

  England and Wales

  A bit of a turkey: ASA rules against Aldi’s “Cheapest Christmas Dinner” ad

  The ASA has made a significant ruling against Aldi in relation to a “basket of goods” comparison in which Aldi claimed to have “Britain’s cheapest Christmas dinner”. The ASA found that the claim was misleading for a number of reasons, notably because competitor prices checked in a normal trading period in November are not reflective of actual prices in the fast-moving, heavy-discounting run-up to Christmas. The ruling will have a significant impact on ads promoting products for a specific upcoming event by way of competitor price comparisons. It also casts significant...

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  19/03/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary adopts new regulations on occupational Safety and Health fines and administration

  The Hungarian parliament recently adopted amendments to certain government regulations on occupational matters, and new government regulations on the detailed rules for the amount and imposition of occupational safety and health (OSH) fines, which entered into force on 1 March 2024. The amendments to the government regulations were necessary to ensure consistency between the legislation.The following article summarises these changes.1. Government Decree No 24/2024 (II.14.) amending certain Government Decrees on employmentAmendment to Government Decree No. 320/2014 (XII.13.) on the designation of...

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  13/03/2024

  United Kingdom

  To milk or not to milk - Oatly wins appeal against invalidity of its ‘POST MILK GENERATION’ trade mark in the UK

  IntroductionThe High Court recently allowed an appeal by Oatly against a decision of the Intellectual Property Office ("IPO”) which had found the trade mark ‘POST MILK GENERATION’ to be invalid as it was deceptive in relation to oat based products (contrary to section 3(4) of the Trade Marks Act 1994 (the “Act”)).  The High Court overturned the IPO’s ruling and declared Oatly’s trade mark to be validly registered, ruling that the use of the term ‘milk’ in Oatly’s marketing did not amount to its products being “designated”...

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  13/03/2024

  England and Wales

  Not Frying So High: EU General Court Rejects “MYBACON” Trade Mark Appeal

  Introduction Food company Myforest Foods Co. sought to register the trade mark “MYBACON” for its plant-based food product. Both the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the EUIPO’s Board of Appeal rejected its application on the grounds that  the mark is deceptive (Myforest Foods Co. v EUIPO, Case T‑107/23). Determined to press on with its appeal, Myforest brought the case before the EU General Court (GC) but it has been unsuccessful. The EU General Court agreed with the EUIPO that the mark “MYBACON” was likely to mislead the public...

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