Art: Copyright Law, copy-right or copy-wrong?
When the artist, Jeff Koons, copied a suburban couple holding a litter of cute puppies from a black-and-white photograph in 1988, the last thing he had on his mind was the law. The photographer, Art Rogers, thought differently. Koons' colourful, ironic sculpture became the subject of a famous US court case when Rogers sued for copyright infringement. [ more ]

Art: Buyer of Art Beware
Buyer beware', otherwise known as 'caveat emptor', is a fundamental principle of UK contract law. Limited legal protection is afforded to buyers who pay over the odds for works of art and then complain. It is a free market and buyers are free to run their own checks (and should do so) while relying on the guidance of expert dealers in whose trust they place themselves. [ more ]

Art: Attacks on Art or a Tax on Art?
Either way you look at it, it's easy to think the taxman takes more than his fair share from art collectors, whether it is VAT on purchase, capital gains tax on sale or inheritance tax on death. But the reality is that in many circumstances works of art are taxed relatively lightly in the UK and, with careful planning, it may be possible to achieve large tax savings. [ more ]

Brands and Rights: Spare parts and accessories: ECJ provides guidance
In the recent decision of Gillette -v- LA-Laboratories Ltd OY, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has provided some welcome guidance on when it is lawful for a company to use another brand owner's trade mark to refer to compatible accessories or spare parts e.g. a supplier of inkjet cartridges selling its goods as "Canon compatible cartridges". The key issue involved in this case was whether or not the statement that "All Parason Flexor and Gillette Sensor handles are compatible with this blade" infringed the Gillette trade mark. [ more ]

Brands and Rights: Court Judgement Reduces Protection for Databases
A recent decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has drastically narrowed the scope of legal protection for databases in the UK and throughout Europe. This could increase the rights that third parties have to access the contents of your databases and may mean that information stored in them is no longer protected at all. [ more ]

International Arbitration seminar
A forum, organised by the International Trade and Arbitration Group of Mishcon de Reya considered the latest legal developments in foreign investment and its impact on the environment. The Group's consultant Professor Surya Subedi D.Phil (Oxford), Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nepal addressed questions such as 'Has the law of foreign investment gone too far in affording protection to foreign investors'. For further information please mailto: feedback@mishcon.co.uk [ more ]

THE US Fair Labor Standards Act
The basics and new developments impacting UK companies. Mishcon de Reya are pleased to host this event with Legalink partner firm Patton Boggs LLP discussing the regulations which come into effect on 23 August 2004. Hosted at Mishcon de Reya. [ more ]

Best Practice in the Workplace
Sarah Lyons of Mishcon de Reya's Employment Group is speaking on the Information and Consultation Directive, Disability Discrimination, Working Time and Age Discrimination. For further information please mailto: feedback@mishcon.co.uk [ more ]

Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 Seminar
The amendments to the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 which come into effect on 1 June 2004 include some fundamental changes with which you will need to be familiar. Presented by Philip Freedman. Hosted at Mishcon de Reya. For further information please mailto: feedback@mishcon.co.uk [ more ]

Anti Counterfeiting Group Spring Conference
Gary Miller and Jeremy Hertzog are presenting Tulip for Brands at the Anti Counterfeiting Group Spring Conference. The Anti-Counterfeiting Group represents the interests of over 200 brand owners in 30 different countries. For further information please mailto: feedback@mishcon.co.uk [ more ]