TRADE MARK LAW: PLACING LUXURY GOODS IN DISCOUNT STORES CAN AFFECT THEIR QUALITY
French fashion house Dior has the upper hand in legal battle over ‘dumping’ of its goods
Placing luxury goods like Christian Dior products in discount stores can affect their quality according to the European Court of Justice, in a ruling on April 23, 2009, thereby backing the renowned French fashion house Dior in a trademark case. At issue is the extent to which companies such as Dior can defend themselves against products bearing their brands being “dumped” even though the licensing agreement clearly prohibits the licensee from doing so.
On May 17, 2000 the fashion house concluded a …
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NEW GERMAN GAMING LAW IN VIOLATION WITH EU LAW
State monopolies granted exclusivity
New gaming/gambling legislation entered into force in Germany on 1 January 2008. Although one would expect Germany to observe the laws and regulations of the European Community, it confirmed the country’s state monopolies on lotteries and sports betting and, despite several judgments of the EU Court of Justice (e.g. Placanica et al.), it outlawed any other online gambling from both foreign and domestic sources.
It is also forbidden to place a bet from a computer in Germany with an operator outside Germany whose server is also outside Germany. In other words: it is illegal for Germans when …
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