Commercial

Articles

Fixed-share partners cannot 'have their cake and eat it'

Lester Aldridge partner not an employee, appeal judges decide

Rights and risks associated with photography

Recent cases and legislation have made advising photographers more complicated. Jonathan Silverman highlights some of the issues that can arise

Successive renewal of short-term contracts not always unlawful, court rules

The systematic renewal of short-term contracts is not necessarily a breach of the employment law even where the posts fulfil a permanent function within an organisation, the European Court of Justice has ruled.

Energy drinks company cannot register 'Viaguara', court rules

A drinks company has been refused the right to register the trademark 'viaguara' because it was too similar to 'viagra', the protected name of the drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Working not a precondition to right to paid holiday, court rules

Workers' right to paid holiday cannot be subject to a minimum period of actual work during the reference period used to calculate entitlement, the European Court of Justice has said.

Honey-based medical dressing can be patented

A patent for a honey-based medical dressing was not invalid on the ground of obviousness, appeal judges have ruled.

IT/IP update

Susan Singleton reviews database rights, illegal downloading, data protection and private email accounts, and a European case on internet selling bans

Claims game

Increasing the qualifying period for dismissal and introducing fees for tribunal litigation have caused concern in the employment law community, but are the proposed government reforms all bad? James Davies says the proposals contain some useful ideas, as Jane Wheeler welcomes process improvements, but Edward Cooper warns about possible abuses