GRP Rainer LLP

Employers threatening to issue a notice of dismissal with immediate effect ought to have serious grounds for terminating the employment relationship.

Even if health-related advertising claims are true, they may still mislead consumers and thus be impermissible. That was the verdict of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) (Az.: C-296/16 P).

Anyone who seriously threatens their employer or superior should expect to be dismissed with immediate effect. This was confirmed by a ruling of the Regional Labour Court of Düsseldorf from June 8, 2017 (Az.: 11 Sa 823/16).

Antitrust law is not something that merely concerns large corporations. It also affects small and medium-sized businesses. Violations of antitrust law can be met with severe penalties.

In the case of sick employees, employers ought to closely explore the possibility of an occupational rehabilitation management program. Otherwise, dismissal due to illness may be invalid.

In the event that a commercial agency agreement is terminated, the commercial agent often has a right to compensation. Frequent points of contention include the extent of any such entitlement and the classification of new clients.

According to a ruling of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Karlsruhe, clauses in an employment contract for a managing director stating that removing the managing director simultaneously terminates the employment contract may be invalid.

The final cost of goods on display needs to be readily apparent to customers. According to a recent ruling of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Hamm [Higher Regional Court of Hamm], quoting only part of the price constitutes a violation of competition law.

Since 2010, the German exchequer has reeled in a nationwide total of around six billion euros by way of voluntary declarations for tax evasion. For tax dodgers, voluntary disclosure remains the only way out.

Protecting your brand is crucial. One ought to take resolute action against trademark violations. That being said, you should first assess whether a trademark violation has in fact occurred.