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From Shamnad Basheer

The law on disclosing clinical trial data looks set to change following a recent announcement by the UK government. The rationale behind the proposed changes, which are due to be introduced into UK law by the end of this year, is that pharmaceutical companies should be in no doubt as to their responsibility to disclose any information they have that would have a bearing on the protection of health.

The adoption and use of a trade mark can be time consuming and expensive and can present unseen risks. Advertising activity and its regulations often interfere with trade mark use and registration. Some of the most relevant restrictions apply to tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, games of chance and children advertising on TV and radio.

The Lower Chamber of the Chilean Congress recently ratified the Agreement on the Requirements for Wine Labelling, agreed on January 23 2007, in Canberra, Australia, in the framework of the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG), the informal grouping of industry representatives from wine-producing countries. The countries that participate in the WWTG are Argentina, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and Chile. These countries represent 25% of the wine world trade.

Four major record companies are taking Eircom, Ireland's largest internet service provider (ISP), to the Commercial Court in Dublin over illegally downloaded music. The action against Eircom is being brought in the name of the Irish subsidiaries of EMI Records, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music and Warner Music, but is actually organized by the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), a trade organzation. Record companies and ISPs across Europe will closely monitor the developments in this case, which is the first Irish case aimed at ISPs for allowing illegal downloads, rather than individual file-sharers.

Eileen McDermott, Berlin

Lawyers from Bolet & Terrero tell you which agreements to sign if you want to avoid difficulties

The Bureau of Legal Affairs deals with IP cases. But many practitioners disagree with its decisions, say Editha R Hechanova and Chrissie Ann L Barredo of Hechanova of Bugay & Vilchez

Luis C Schmidt of Olivares & Cia explores the complexities of audiovisual copyright legislation

Dr Wolfgang Festl-Wietek and Adam Bogsch of Viering, Jentschura & Partner ask three questions about brand management: Is the attorney just a necessary evil? Is litigation a component of brand management? And is Germany a good place for litigation?