On 8.2.2011, a comprehensive and instructive ruling* was rendered by the Israeli National Labor Court regarding employees' usage of workplace computers, and their right to privacy in email correspondence. This ruling regulates the rights and obligations of both employers and employees regarding the use of workplace computers and email, and balances an employer's right to manage his business with an employee's right to privacy.

There have been a number of important decisions issued by the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit Court that will have significant impact on U.S. patent law and the litigation resulting from the patents. A brief description of each case is set forth below.

The Microsoft and Therasense decisions appear to strengthen patents by making it more difficult to invalidate them during litigation. The Stanford decision makes it clear the importance of having the appropriate employment agreement in place with employee inventors, especially if the work was funded at least partially by U.S. federal funds. While the impact of these cases is somewhat speculative at this point, it is undisputable that these cases will have a significant impact. Only years from now will we be able to determine the true impact of these cases.

Most people will have heard of time limitations in the context of criminal law and that there is a limit of time in some types of cases after which prosecutions cannot be taken. However limitations also apply to civil law. Laws impose obligations on a person who seeks to take a case to do so within a certain period of time from the event or incident which gives rise to the claim. If proceedings are not initiated within the appropriate time limit a case can be deemed to be statute barred.

There are few issues in the United Kingdom that create more political debate and press comment than immigration. Over recent years, immigration legislation has been heavily amended and, most recently, caps have been placed on the total number of non-EU workers that can be employed in any year.

The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Masterpiece Inc. v. Alavida Lifestyles Inc. on May 26, 2011. In reversing the Federal Court Trial Division and the Federal Court of Appeal, the Court used this opportunity to clarify several points involved in conducting a confusion analysis when faced with two competing trade-marks. Generally speaking, prior rights holders will be comforted by the decision and practitioners will welcome the clarity provided by the Court on several important issues.

Spanish Criminal Code was amended by the end of last year 2010. One of the main changes is the new section 31bis, which establishes for the first time the criminal liability of legal entities, except for the governmental public companies, political parties and trade unions.

The consequences of the economic crisis currently dominate European politics. Most member states approve different measures to consolidate their public finances. In Slovakia, an increase of income to the state budget is also expected, among other things, by a new tax on emission allowances.

The tax on emission allowances has been introduced in Slovakia, entering into force on January 1, 2011. Under the new legislation greenhouse gas emission allowances allocated free of charge according to the National Allocation Plan approved for the trading period 2008 to 2012, are taxed at a high rate of 80 percent. The new tax on emission allowances has led to much professional debate regarding its compliance with the Slovak Constitution, binding international treaties and EU law. In the near future the Slovak Constitutional Court will hear these issues.

Civil law of the Russian Federation has existed without major changes since the disintegration of the USSR. Since that time, the economy and in particular business transactions, as well as other laws, regulating commercial turnover have changed dramatically. That is why the changes in one of the most significant documents in Russia demandable. But, as we know, changes are not always welcomed, because they somehow modify, and in case of such major changes as the proposed amendments, even reshape the whole sphere of business. The proposed amendments, published on the 13th of November by the Scientific centre of private law, are also called simply “a new Civil Code”. Provided, that the majority of lawyers and law-makers call the Civil Code “the second most important law after the Constitution”, one can imagine what would the reaction of business be.

New York (February 28, 2011) – On Monday, the International Lawyers Network announced that Økland & Co DA has joined the Network as their representative for Norway. The firm was established in 1983, and is located in Lillestrøm, between Oslo Airport and the City Center of Oslo. They continue to develop their firm in accordance with the philosophy, integrity and dedication to service that its founders have always promoted.

New York (April 20, 2011) – On Tuesday, the International Lawyers Network announced that Davis & Gilbert LLP has joined the Network as a representative for New York. Founded more than a century ago, Davis & Gilbert LLP is a full service law firm of more than 110 lawyers based in one office in New York City that represents a broad range of clients, including numerous service sector companies whose key assets are people and their ideas. The industries in which their clients operate include such dynamic fields as marketing communications, new media, publishing, fashion, retail, hospitality and financial services. Their attorneys work with their clients on virtually every type of legal issue, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, financings, tax, litigation, labor and employment, executive benefits and compensation, intellectual property, new media, real estate, tax, wealth management and estate planning.

New York (May 20, 2011) – On Friday, the International Lawyers Network announced that Davis, Malm & D’Agostine, P.C. has joined the Network as a representative for Boston.

Davis Malm is a premier full-service New England firm providing sophisticated, cost-effective legal representation to local, regional, national, and international public and private businesses, institutions, and individuals in a wide spectrum of business sectors and legal matters. Since its founding in 1979, lawyers at Davis Malm have practiced at the top level of the profession delivering successful results to clients through direct partner involvement, responsive client service, and practical and creative problem solving.