The Minister of State in the Department of Justice and Equality, Mr. David Stanton, has expressed an intention to bring forward the long awaited Gambling Control Bill (the GCB) by the end of 2017. The Government's Legislation Programme for Autumn 2017 notes that work is underway on the GCB. However, there has been no further information on when the draft of the GCB will be published, which is the next substantive step ...
A rash of lawsuits are being filed around the country against businesses and retailers, claiming their websites are not accessible to those with visual or hearing impairments. These lawsuits are being filed under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). Title III of the ADA requires equal access for persons with disabilities in places of public accommodation. This is not a new provision of the ADA, but the focus on websites has been a relatively recent development ...
The Bavarian Data Protection Authority ("BayLDA") has published an online test on its website that can be used by companies to determine how well they are prepared on key topics of the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"). The GDPR will apply directly in the member states of the European Union with effect from May 25, 2018. This will result in significant changes to data protection law in many areas ...
More hotels are imposing mandatory “resort fees” on their guests for amenities, and the amount of those fees is increasing at many of those hotels. Many consumers dislike these fees, even when they appreciate the value of the included amenities. A legal battle is underway over mandatory resort fees ...
The forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation also results in adaptations with regard to the protection of social data. On May 25, 2018, an amended Code of Social Law will therefore come into effect simultaneously with the General Data Protection Regulation. Above all, the Code of Social Law (SGB) X is affected. Many of the adaptations are editorial changes that have become necessary, but the content has also been amended ...
How retailers can harness technology to beat e-commerce at its own game. “It's official: Singapore malls are dead, as occupancy reaches its lowest level in 10 years,” screams one headline. “At some suburban malls, retailers confront the sound of silence,” another chimes in. As e-commerce takes hold, shoppers are eschewing brick and mortar in favour of the convenience of point and click ...
The technology that forms the foundation for digital currencies like Bitcoin could be the technology that provides unprecedented security for and access to medical records. The Blockchain For years, online communities sought increased freedom and autonomy by shielding their economic activities from the government and corporate intermediaries ...
The autonomous vehicle industry is pressing forward, full speed ahead. The conveniences and efficiencies created by shifting to self-driving vehicles are expected to drive vast economic growth and generate widespread consumer demand. Given the potential benefits, it is no wonder that autonomous technologies are now being embraced by a variety of market players— ranging from small start-up tech companies to perennial automotive giants ...
On 25 May 2018, a new set of privacy rules formed by the European Union (“EU”) will take effect. The General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) seeks to replace the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. Organisations – including many African ones – will need to make changes to their oversight, technology, processes, and human resources to comply with the GDPR ...
The Libel Suit Strikes Back Much has changed since 1972 when reporters Woodward and Bernstein exposed President Nixon of wrongdoing. Through their extraordinary reporting, the public learned of “dirty tricks,” criminal actions and a cover-up led by this country’s leaders inside the White House. All resources available to these reporters including unnamed sources of information provided details that fueled these stories ...
Many of us are aware of the popular myth that ostriches believe burying their heads in the sand will make them invisible to predators. In other words, an “if I can’t see you, you can’t see me” approach. Even though scientists will tell you that this is not true, the approach seems to bear a resemblance to the online behaviour of some humans ...
Any new technology that gains universal application changes the existing world. The reconfiguration occurs imperceptibly but thoroughly. But in this new reality, how should the rule of law, values essential to the civil society and human rights be protected? A new economic reality functioning in cyberspace has arisen before our very eyes. Human activity, both positive and negative, is moving to the virtual arena that functions above and beyond state borders ...
The European Court of Justice makes important clarifications relevant for dominant firms'' pricing and rebate policies in its recent Intel-judgment Introduction In recent months, the European Court of Justice (''ECJ'') delivered its long awaited judgment in the Intel appeal case. The judgment sets aside the ruling by the General Court and refers the matter back to that court ...
Earlier this year, Executive Order no 13, which aims to strengthen the fight against illegal gambling in the Philippines, was issued. EO No. 13 mandates relevant law enforcement agencies to coordinate on campaigns against illegal gambling, and clarifies the territorial jurisdiction of government authorities that issue licenses for gambling and online gaming facilities ...
California defamation law continues to evolve as the courts synthesize well-settled legal principles with ever-changing technological realities. On July 21, 2017, California’s First District Court of Appeal issued a published opinion in ZL Technologies v. Does 1-7 (July 21, 2017) 2017 DJ DAR 6999 ...
According to the advocate general’s opinions in C-434/15 Elite Taxi and C-320/16 Uber France, Uber does not provide information society services, but local transport services which may be regulated by EU member states. It has been more than ayear since we signalled that the Court of Justice of the European Union would need to resolve the legal classification of the services provided by Uber ...
The adoption of the Federal Law No 156-FZ “On Amendments to the Federal Law "On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection” entered into force October 1, 2017 (hereinafter the “Federal Law”). 1 ...
We would like to inform you of the recent developments of Russian cybersecurity legislation. The draft law “On Security of Critical Information Infrastructure” has passed the third (final) reading at the Lower Chamber of the Russian Parliament and has been sent to the Upper Chamber for final approval. Afterwards Russian President will likely sign the document ...
On January 1, 2019, local agencies will be required to comply with new requirements for posting agendas on their websites (AB 2257). The California Brown Act requires that any local agency must post an agenda 72 hours in advance of a regular meeting. If an agency has a website, then the agency is required to post the agenda on their website ...
Celebrity chef restaurants, locally inspired food and beverage offerings, communal social spaces, and in-room and hotel-led fitness options–these trends represent a transformation of the traditional hotel model. Amenity preferences, particularly for authentic, one-of-a-kind social experiences, continue to segment the hospitality industry. Many of the large hotel chains have countered with a series of new boutique-style brands that cater to individuality of the customer and locale ...
The Digital Economy Act 2017 introduces a new electronic communications code, intended to facilitate widespread connectivity and address some of the critical issues that currently beset the telecoms industry. The current electronic communications code was issued in 1984 and it was designed to facilitate the installation and maintenance of fixed line communications networks ...
California Assembly Bill 1687 (“AB 1687”) requires certain entertainment websites to remove a paid subscriber’s date of birth or age information upon request. This law applies to IMDb, the world’s largest online database of information about the entertainment industry ...
On Monday, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Matal v. Tam,1 a high-profile dispute implicating NFL football, Portland dance-rock, and the Lanham Act’s disparagement clause. In its eagerly anticipated decision, the Court, voting 8-0, struck down the Lanham Act’s prohibition on disparaging trademarks as facially unconstitutional under the First Amendment ...
