Scotland

Recent Articles

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  25/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  “Parasitic packaging”: The ongoing battle against ‘copycat’ products

  ‘Copycat’ products have attracted attention in recent years with high profile court actions, especially the infamous caterpillar cake wars, hitting the headlines. However, even with brand owners fighting back, the issue of copycats remains rife.The British Brands Group (“BBG”) recently conducted a comprehensive review[1] of copycat products and their “parasitic packaging”, uncovering the alarming number of products on the UK market which closely mimic well-known brands. These imitations not only threaten the originality and reputation of established brands but...

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  23/04/2025

  International

  Navigating keyword advertising from a Singapore and European trade mark perspective

  In this increasingly digitalised world, how should organisations approach internet keyword advertising and avoid trade mark infringement whilst doing so? In this update, we not only discuss how the Singapore High Court recently dealt with this issue in East Coast Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd v Family Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 102, but also provide a European perspective on the decision.  The Singapore DecisionEast Coast Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd v Family Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 102 concerned a trade mark infringement claim by a claimant who was the registered proprietor of a...

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  23/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  Double booster for UK clinical trials

  IntroductionTwo recent announcements show the Government’s intent to improve the UK as a location for clinical research and boost our life sciences sector. This article summarises the announcements and provides context.Prime Minister “Turbocharges” Medical Research in the UKOn 7 April 2025, the Prime Minister announced a £600 million investment aimed at revolutionising medical research in the UK. This initiative, a collaboration between the Government and the Wellcome Trust, seeks to establish a new health data research service designed to enhance access to NHS data for...

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  23/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  Reforming the Construction Products Regime: Green Paper

  The BackgroundThe government recently published its official response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, addressing all 58 recommendations and outlining the government’s proposed reforms. As part of its response, the government also published the Construction Products Reform Green Paper (the Paper), which proposes extensive measures for system-wide reform of the construction product regulatory regime, including proposals that address the Inquiry’s recommendations. The Paper also serves as the government’s response to the Independent Review of Product Testing and Certification...

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  17/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  Government publishes dispute resolution guidance under Developer Remediation Contracts

  The government has recently published guidance under the provisions of its Developer Remediation Contracts (“DRC”) agreed in connection with the Responsible Actors Scheme. The guidance focuses on the use of mediation to resolve disputes arising between third parties and developers in connection with DRCs. This Law-Now provides a brief summary of the guidance and some of the legal issues it gives rise to.Developer Remediation ContractsAs part of the drive to remediate unsafe high rise buildings, in 2023, the government asked major developers to sign a DRC committing the developer to...

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  17/04/2025

  United Kingdom

  FCA’s Second Consultation on Consumer Composite Investments

  IntroductionThe Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) launched a second consultation on the Consumer Composite Investments (“CCI”) regime on 16 April 2025 (the “Second Consultation”) with further proposals to support the CCI regime including changes to cost information and rules for the transitional period.This follows on from an earlier consultation from December 2024. The proposed CCI regime aims to replace the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (“PRIIPs”) regime and certain Undertakings for Collective Investment...

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