Is the sale or purchase of software by an agent on behalf of its principal a sale or purchase of ‘goods’ for the purposes of the Commercial Agents (Council Directive) Regulations 1993 (the “Regulations”) within the technology sector? Following the Court of Justice of the European Union (the “CJEU”) preliminary ruling in The Software Incubator Ltd v. Computer Associates UK Ltd case, we move a step closer to a much-needed consistent answer ...
In this context, the judgements provide useful guidance on the concepts of abuse and beneficial ownership. Abuse concept According to the CJEU, it is settled case-law that there is, in EU law, a general legal principle that EU law cannot be relied on for abusive or fraudulent ends ...
A recent Tenth Circuit decision shines light on a new avenue to challenge cannabis businesses, even in states where medical and recreational marijuana is legal. Although the potential federal criminal threat to cannabis businesses in states that have legalized medical or recreational cannabis has been relatively well-discussed, the potential civil threat has received little attention. In Safe Streets Alliance v. Hickenlooper, 859 F.3d 865 (10th Cir ...
On January 21, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the restrictions on corporate expenditures encompassed in the Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (commonly known as the McCain-Feingold Act). The 5-4 opinion found the Act’s prohibition on the use of general treasury funds by corporations or unions to directly advocate the election or defeat of candidates or to broadcast electioneering communications ran afoul of the First Amendment’s established protections of free speech ...
On May 25, 2020, the Chilean IRS issued instructions on the temporary decrease to 0% of the Stamp Tax rate accrued between April 1 and September 30, 2020 (the "0% Rate Term"). In general terms, the Circular establishes the following: Although this is a transitory decrease, it benefits extensions and renewals made during the 0% Rate Term, which are linked to documents originally granted and taxed. This represents a change of criteria by the Chilean IRS ...
On April 29, 2020, the Chilean IRS issued instructions regarding the tax treatment of expenses incurred in connection with the health emergency caused by Covid-19. Additionally, the Tax Authority refers to the general requirements for all expenses and the tax treatment of some donations. I. Regarding the general requirements on deduction of expenses In accordance with Article 31 of the Income Tax Law, recently amended by Law No ...
In Commissioner of Internal Revenue v Ruben U Yu,(1) the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) en banc clarified that the 180-day period referred to in section 228 of the Tax Code, as amended, applies only to the period within which the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR), or their duly authorised representative, may act on a protest against a tax assessment ...
Cincinnati, Ohio has joined a small but growing list of states and municipalities that ban discrimination on the basis of natural hair styles. On Oct. 9, 2019, the Cincinnati City Council voted 7-1 to add a hair-bias ban to the city’s existing non-discrimination law ...
Quarles & Brady partner Chris Nickels provided insight for an American City Business Journals article about what the latest COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) means for employers ...
THE LINDT BUNNY The company Lindt & Sprungli is the maker of the famous Lindt chocolate bunny. The product comprises chocolate in the shape of a squatting bunny, wrapped in gold foil with a red ribbon and a small bell. The chocolate bunny is a very big seller around Easter time, with sales in the tens of millions ...
Over the past few years, we’ve reported on a number of legal battles involving chocolate bars such as Kit Kat and Toblerone. These cases have dealt with the shape or appearance of chocolate bars. Another “food fight” has erupted in the UK, and this time it involves a speciality chocolate manufacturer called Hotel Chocolat and the retail chain Waitrose ...
We have reported on the demise of the Advertising Standards Authority (“ASA”) in previous articles, but there’s now a new advertising sheriff in town, the Advertising Regulatory Board (“ARB”), a body whose strapline is “Consumer protection through responsible advertising”. Gail Schimmel is the CEO of this new body ...
During the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese authorities have jointly released a series of measures to support enterprises and industries and reduce the negative economical impact of the epidemic ...
On April 21, 2015, the State Council of China (i.e. the central government) adopted the proposed draft of Administrative Measures on Concession of Infrastructure and Public Utilities Projects (the “Infrastructure Measures”) ...
On 31 January 2013, the Chinese Supreme People’s Court (“SPC”) issued the Fourth Judicial Interpretation on Certain Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Cases Involving Labor Disputes (“SPC-Rules IV”) which came into effect on 1 February 2013. The SPC-Rules IV are based on the current employment laws and regulations and further detail several practice-relevant issues ...
Did you know? The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) recently revised the Examination Guidelines for software patents including artificial intelligence (AI), big data and blockchain. Why does this matter to you? These new Examination Guidelines provide much needed clarity as to the boundaries of patentable subject matter in China ...
The sustained growth in China’s primary sector[1] means for many international companies it is no longer a question of “should we go to China?” but rather “how to face the Chinese market?” This newsletter provides a brief outline of China’s primary sector and relevant regulations, as well as highlighting important risks and opportunities. 1. China’s primary sectorThe potential for further growth in China’s primary sector is immense: of China’s 1 ...
The China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) issued the Measures for the Administration of the Takeover of Listed Companies on 17 May 2006. Effective 1 September 2006, the Measures cover both takeovers and significant share acquisition activities in listed companies. The Measures apply to acquisitions by investors of listed companies. They impose disclosure and tender offer obligations upon investors crossing certain shareholding thresholds ...
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress made public China's draft law on "The PRC Labour Contract Law" on 20 March 2006, with a view to collecting opinions thereon from relevant departments and the public, for further amendments to be made to this draft law. The PRC Labour Contract Law is intended to be promulgated pursuant to the PRC Labour Law, and sets out to clarify certain ambiguities to give employees better protection ...
The Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation jointly issued the Notice on the Issue of the Levy of Individual Income Tax on Income Derived by Individuals from Stock Options on 31 March 2005 ("Notice"). The Notice, which entered into effect on 1 July 2005, provides a number of guidelines regarding the taxability of such schemes. Taxable event The Notice applies to stock options granted to employees of listed companies or their holding companies ...
The State Administration of Taxation ("SAT") issued the Notice on Relevant Issues in Adjusting the Method for Calculation of Individual Income Tax Annual Lump Sum Bonus Etc. Received by Individuals on 21 January 2005. The Notice, which took effect on 1 January 2005, repeals two SAT Notices issued in 1996 and addresses the issue of the calculation of individual income tax ("IIT") on annual bonuses ...
The State Administration for Taxation issued the Reply of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues relating to Tax Refund for Reinvestment by Foreign Investors on 20 October 2005. The Reply explains the conditions under which a foreign investment enterprise (“FIE”) can obtain a rebate on its enterprise income tax (“EIT”) for re-investment of its profits if such re-investment is made in instalments or in phases ...
On 27 November 2006, the Ministry of Finance and State Administration of Taxation jointly issued the Notice Regarding Several Stamp Tax Policies. The Notice states that:1. Stamp tax will be levied on contracts submitted electronically. 2. Stamp tax will be levied on purchase and sale contracts between power plants and power grid networks and on those between two power grid networks ...
At the 18th Session of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People’s Congress held on 27 October 2005 amendments were adopted to the Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China. The amendments were promulgated by President Hu Jintao on 27 October 2005 and enter into effect on 1 January 2006. Tax free allowance A first amendment raises the tax free allowance applicable to wages and salaries from RMB 800 to RMB 1,600 ...
The State Administration of Taxation issued the Measures on the Self- Declaration of Personal Income Tax (Trial Implementation) on 6 November 2006. The Measures cover the filing process for those who satisfy one of the following conditions:1. Annual income of 120,000RMB or more; 2. Wages or stipends earned from two or more sources within China; 3. Income earned outside China; 4. Any acquired taxable income without withholding; 5 ...
