GRP Rainer LLP

Franchisees need to be careful. If they change their franchise partner, they cannot simply carry over the likes and stars they have accumulated to the new company.

Purchasing cooperatives provide value to many retailers and traders. However, with these kinds of associations it is necessary to ensure that they do not violate antitrust or competition law.

A champagne sorbet needs to actually taste like champagne; otherwise, this description cannot be used. That was the verdict of the Bundesgerichtshof (BGH), Germany's Federal Supreme Court, in a ruling from July 19, 2018 (Az.: I ZR 268/14).

The European Commission has imposed fines in separate rulings on four electronics manufacturers totaling 111 million euros in response to violations of EU competition law.

The Bundesarbeitsgericht (BAG), Germany's Federal Labour Court, confirmed in a recent ruling that employers can claw back collectively agreed bonus payments from employees under certain circumstances.

A supplier of luxury perfumes is allowed to prohibit its distribution partners from promoting and selling its products online via third party platforms.

Under certain circumstances, an authorized dealer may be entitled to claim compensation after termination of the contract with the company if the latter continues to be able to use its business contacts.

Plagiarism and counterfeit products cause immense economic damage within the European Union. This makes it all the more important for businesses to take consistent measures to protect their trade marks.

Caution is in order if someone is offering discounts on "fast alles", i.e. "almost everything". Advertising featuring a discount promotion that excludes large sections of the product range from the discount is misleading and unfair.

The Bundeskartallemt, Germany's Federal Cartel Office, has imposed fines totaling approx. 23 million euros in response to the collective calculation of uniform price recommendations.