Current articles on Digital & analog, IT law, copyright, e-commerce

The right of access under Article 15 of the GDPR—on the one hand, a right of data subjects and a tool for promoting transparency and informational self-determination in the context of personal data processing; on the other hand, a frequently exploited avenue for escalating disputes that have their roots elsewhere.

Even though the eFTI Regulation has been in effect for several years now, and awareness of the regulation has certainly increased since the publication of the survey results by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) at the end of 2024—at which time only 14% of the companies surveyed were familiar with “eFTI”—this article aims to shed light once again on the eFTI Regulation, which will gain in importance in the coming year, and provide affected companies with a brief overview.

Can I make the workflows in my company more efficient? Where can AI be used effectively? What do I need to consider if I want to implement AI in my company? Where do I even start? These are all questions that entrepreneurs and employees face when they want to keep up with the times and integrate AI into their daily work. And it was precisely these questions that were addressed during the panel discussion “AI with Confidence – AI in the Workplace” hosted by VHS Reutlingen. Attorney Niko Schneider of VOELKER & Partner participated as a speaker.

There are two ways to buy or sell a business:- Either you buy or sell the company’s shares (known as a “share deal”), or- You buy or sell the individual tangible and intangible assets used in the company’s business operations (known as an “asset deal”).

Aus gegebenem Anlass möchten wir darauf hinweisen, dass aktuell diverse Unternehmen und Einrichtungen, sowohl aus dem privaten als auch aus dem öffentlichen Sektor, Abmahnungen wegen der Verletzung von Bildrechten erhalten. Die Abmahnungen stammen immer von demselben Unternehmen, das Bildrechte für eine große Nachrichtenagentur verwaltet.

Public communication is shaped by images and graphics. It’s good to have a clear understanding of the legal framework.

What happened?
The transfer of data to countries with a lower level of data protection than the EU - such as the USA to date - is generally prohibited. On Monday, July 10, 2023, the European Commission has now adopted an adequacy decision for secure and trustworthy data flows between the EU and the USA.

In recent years - and not just since the coronavirus crisis - there have been more and more portals offering medical information or even medical services, such as second opinion portals, scientific information portals for patients or doctors, drug reviews and symptom checkers. Numerous new portals have emerged at short notice, especially now in Corona times, or are in the process of being created, e.g. telemedical offers, mediation portals such as appointment mediation. There are typical legal problems that need to be considered when advising such portals:

OLG Cologne, judgment of 03.02.2016, Ref. 6 U 39/15

The Injunctions Act has been amended.

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been published in the Official Journal and will therefore come into force in May 2018. There is therefore no acute need for implementation. However, the new regulations should be complied with from May 2018.

In March 2016, the previous Community Trade Mark Regulation was replaced by the new European Union Trade Mark Regulation. This has resulted in a number of legal changes. Of particular importance for some existing trade marks is the subsequent registration of goods and services by September 2016 at the latest.