GRP Rainer LLP

A will not only provides the opportunity to designate heirs but also to exclude people from the inheritance. It is not necessary to mention the heirs in a so-called "Negativtestament" (negative will).

Food products which give the impression that they contain ingredients when this is not in fact the case are misleading to consumers. That was the verdict of the Landgericht (LG) Amberg [Regional Court of Amberg] (Az.: 41 HKO 497/16).

If it has been agreed that capital from an occupational pension scheme can be paid out in several instalments, the employer can take its bearings from the interest rates of secure forms of investment.

Gifts made more than ten years ago will no longer be taken into account in inheritance cases when calculating the compulsory portion. Having said that, there are exceptions which render this time limit inapplicable.

The Bundeskartellamt, Germany's federal cartel office, has imposed a fine amounting to millions of euros against three television studios for unlawfully exchanging important information. It could not be proven that illegal agreements existed.

Managing directors can end up being personally liable for breaches of obligations. GRP Rainer advises managing directors, assesses their risk and takes appropriate action.

In cases involving inheritance disputes, it is possible for the testator's doctor to be released from doctor-patient confidentiality. That was the verdict of the Oberlandesgericht (OLG) Koblenz [Higher Regional Court of Koblenz] (Az.: 12 W 538/15).

Piracy and copyright infringements are on the increase. As such, it is all the more important to take appropriate measures to protect one's trademarks and intellectual property.

No distinction is made between "Mac" and "Mc" for the purposes of trademark law. The General Court of the European Union (EGC) ruled that whether the syllable includes an "a" is of no great significance (Az.: T-518/13).

Even if a married couple has no children, this does not mean that the spouses automatically become sole heirs. That can only be achieved by means of a will or contract of inheritance.