Archive for January, 2012
The Government has launched a pilot scheme for two regional 'mediation networks' in Cambridge and Manchester for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Department for Business, Innovation and...
Internet economy to double from 2010 to 2016
The Internet economy across the G20 countries is set to rise from US$2.3 trillion in 2010 to US$ trillion in 2016. A big driver will be the growth from the emerging economies and growth of mobile devices...
HR Forum- Social Networking Issues in the Workplace- 28 Feb
The next free HR forum meeting will take place on Tuesday 28th February 12.30-2.00pm.
Social networking's popularity has soared in the last few years. The likes of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn continue...
New timetable clarifies pension auto-enrolment starting dates
The Government has published a revised timetable for pensions auto-enrolment.
From 1 October 2012, and depending on the size of the PAYE scheme, employers will have to enrol eligible employees automatically...
Sticky situation as gelled honey medical dressing patent ruled to be valid – Apimed Medical Honey Ltd (a New Zealand company) v Brightwake Ltd (trading as Advancis Medical), Court of Appeal
Apimed had successfully registered a European patent for a medical dress which combined honey with a gelling agent. The Patents County Court (PCC) had ruled that the patent was invalid for obvious in light...
Government announces action against payment card surcharges
Following the Office of Fair Trading’s response to a super-complaint by the consumer watchdog “Which?” in relation to payment surcharges in the transport industry, HM Treasury and the Department...
Cartoon fun for the BBC but designer bounced out and loses Kerwhizz – Michael Mitchell v BBC, Patents County Court
Michael Mitchell (MM) had designed various characters for use in an animated programme for children’s television, which he called the “Bounce Bunch”. He sent a proposal to the BBC in the hope that...
Professor Brian Smith seminar on “Future of Pharma” well-received
MAB, in association with The Watford Chamber of Commerce, held an exclusive lunchtime seminar on Monday 23rd January 2012, entitled “The Future of Pharma” by Professor Brian D Smith. It was based...
Jurors beware of Contempt of Court!
A juror and ex university academic, Dr Theodora Dallas, who undertook detailed internet research on a defendant’s past and then shared that information with her fellow jury members, has been jailed...
Serious Fraud Office recovers dividends paid to innocent parent company for bribes paid by foreign subsidiary without parent’s knowledge
The Serious Fraud Office has successfully tried a new tactic in its enforcement of bribery and corruption laws. It has recovered the £130,000 in dividends paid to Mabey Engineering (Holdings) Limited...