German court considers emails and customer satisfaction surveys
Can customers’ email addresses be used for satisfaction surveys without prior consent? Stephan Bahner of Osborne Clarke Cologne reports.
All Articles from 14th June 2016
M&S and Auchan fight over use of “Simply”
ISMS owns the Auchan supermarket brand and operates over 2000 “Simply Market” stores in France and beyond. It claimed M&S infringed its trade mark by sales in France of “Simply M&S” products. Vincent le Bars of Osborne Clarke Paris reports.
DC Comics and Marvel back down in “Superhero” battle
Businessman Graham Jules did not roll over when the world’s leading superhero comic publishers threatened to sue over the title of his self-help manual “Business zero to superhero.” Kate Robinson reports on the gripping denouncement.
New proposals to boost EU e-commerce
To help unlock pan EU e-commerce, the European Commission has launched a package of proposals. Included are geo-blocking, parcel delivery pricing and greater powers for national authorities to enforce consumer rights. Stefania Grosso reports.
ICO fines “Better for the country” Brexit body £50,000
“Leave.eu” sent 500,000 spam texts to UK mobile users urging a referendum “Leave” vote. ICO said the recipients gave no prior consent and imposed a substantial fine. The organisation says it will appeal. Jude King reports.
Grenade energy drink litigation raises two key points
“Grenade Energy Ltd (“GEL”) was the registered company name of the drinks business sued by competitor IPEC Grenade UK. IPEC had “Grenade” trade mark registrations. Could the sole shareholder and director be personally liable? Thomas Spanyol reports.
Ofcom launches new mobile nuisance call opt-out
The UK’s “do not call” list enabling users to opt out of nuisance calls is available for mobile as well as landline numbers. Now Ofcom has acted to raise awareness of this and increase mobile registrations. Chloe Dumoulin-Richet reports.
Did Converse trainers prize make Bulmers promotion non-compliant?
To mark the launch of its new Bulmers blueberry flavour cider, Heineken ran a competition offering personalised Converse high-top trainers as a prize. Alcohol Concern complained to the ASA. What was the problem? Chloe Deng reports.
ICO trails its GDPR guidance programme
With the countdown now underway before Europe’s new data protection law comes into force on 25 May 2018, the UK data regulator has indicated what guidance it will be releasing for UK businesses and when. Eleanor Locke reports.
Direct marketing opt-in threat in Digital Economy Bill
The recent Queen’s Speech was criticised as lightweight. But lurking within was a harbinger of potential doom for the UK’s marketers in the form of a threat of an opt-in regime for cold calls. Georgina Graham reports.
Ultra Finishing Ltd fined £786,688 for resale price maintenance
Following an investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority has slapped a substantial fine on a bathroom supplies specialist for imposing illegal RPM on online retailers. Barney Sich reports.
High Court: Clearcast decision on Prevasore Lip Therapy ad not subject to judicial review
Does the TV ad vetting body perform a “function of a public nature”, thus rendering its decisions susceptible to judicial review? Anna Williams reports on the case of Diomed Direct vs Clearcast and the judgment of Stewart J.
