Cologne Latest News (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

The European Commission has published a recommendation for an internal compliance programme (ICP) for trade in dual-use items. The guidelines are not binding on businesses.

Historic flagship hotel is an urban oasis celebrating Indian healing traditions

DecenterAds welcomes guests of DMEXCO 19 to schedule a meeting during the event

New program includes forest immersion, wild swimming, and rainforest yoga

Swiss Mountain Clinic offers a range of doctors, specialists and visiting practitioners focusing on holistic health

Heirs are obligated to amend or subsequently file the testator's incomplete or missing tax returns.

It remains illegal in Germany to sell binary options to retail clients according to an administrative act of Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, the BaFin.

Unreported income in an estate can become a problem for the heirs. If it has been concealed from the tax authorities, it may still be possible to rescue the situation with a voluntary declaration for tax evasion.

A celebration organized by an employer for an employee may give rise to taxable income according to the Finanzgericht Münster.

According to a ruling of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Zweibrücken, the Higher Regional Court of Zweibrücken, from February 28, 2019, public authorities must not publish works protected by copyright without the approval of the creator (Az.:4U 37/18).

Post-contractual non-compete clauses for managing directors are standard practice. But should these clauses go beyond the scope of what is necessary, they may be deemed to be null and void in their entirety.

Anyone registering a trademark needs to actually use it. According to a ruling of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Hamm, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm, it may be sufficient to use a wordmark as part of an advertising slogan (Az.: 4 U 42/18).

"In many ways, there has never been a more exciting time for cable operators that have rolled out DOCSIS 3.1.

"NSPs are currently facing a challenge in providing a seamless customer experience. One of the key areas that NSPs must look at is ensuring that there is an ample radio path throughout the whole home." -- Geert Matthys, Technicolor

"NSPs in emerging markets are waking up to the benefits that these technologies can offer to enable new revenue generating services, while reducing costs to buttress their bottom line and competitive posture."

Enhancing or promoting products in a way that is misleading to consumers may be in breach of competition law. That was the verdict of the OLG Dresden in relation to "risks and side effects".

In the case of inheritance tax, the taxable amount is not split up and subject to differential tax rates. That was the verdict of the BFH, Germany's Federal Fiscal Court, in ruling from February 20, 2019 (Az.: II B 83/18).

The European Commission has imposed fines totaling 368 million euros on two automotive suppliers for violations of antitrust law.

MRO & Flight Operations software provider Rusada, has become the newest member of the European Helicopter Association (EHA).

The Markenrechtmodernisierungsgesetz (MaMog), i.e. the Trademark Law Modernization Act, entered into effect in Germany on January 14, 2019, introducing a number of changes to trademark law.

The Bundeskartellamt, Germany's Federal Cartel Office, has imposed a fine of around 1.4 million euros on an asphalt manufacturer for entering into illegal arrangements in connection with supply associations.

We are proud to announce that we've a new office in Germany. Due to increased market demands we are increasing our footprint in mainland Europe.

A lot of small and medium-sized businesses are or will soon be faced with the issue of business succession. However, searching for a suitable successor can prove challenging in many cases.

Regulation (EU) 2018/302, i.e. the EU Geo-Blocking Regulation, has been in force since December 3, 2018. It obliges merchants to allow cross-border shopping. Violations may be met with severe penalties.

The Bundesgerichtshof (BGH), Germany's Federal Supreme Court, has set out new restrictions on pharmacies enticing new customers, ruling that readily offering rewards for referring new customers is now allowed.

It is illegal to advertise a specific effect attributed to a medicinal product if said effect is based merely on laboratory tests and has not been demonstrated in relation to humans.

A medical practice cannot advertise using the term "Praxisklinik" ("clinic" in English) if it does not provide overnight accommodation. That was the view upheld by the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) in a ruling from October 17, 2018 (Az.: I ZR 58/18).

Three-dimensional signs cannot be registered as a trademark if they consist of a shape that is necessary in order to obtain a technical result.

A managing director's obligations include filing for insolvency on behalf of the company in a timely manner. He or she may be held personally liable for failing to fulfil this obligation.

Commercial agents are entitled to claim compensation. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has since clarified that this right persists even if the commercial agency agreement is terminated during the probationary period.

Franchisees need to be careful. If they change their franchise partner, they cannot simply carry over the likes and stars they have accumulated to the new company.