Complementary meaning

Consider the nature of the IP right From a lender’s standpoint, use this checklist to pinpoint key points when taking IP as security and the steps to implement it... Identify the IP right and applicable law; patents, trade marks, registered designs and copyright can be mortgaged or charged... Select security: a legal mortgage (assignment plus redemption and exclusive licence‑back) offers stronger control than a fixed charge; for charges, restrict disposals and hold an executed undated assignment in escrow (verify foreign recognition)... Confirm ownership, term, existing security, licences and third‑party interests; demand warranties and title evidence, especially for unregistered rights... Assess validity and maintenance: search prior rights, check renewals and genuine use, monitor infringement, review litigation; obtain professional opinions where needed... Value the right and routes on default (licensing or sale); add complementary assets if required... Cover associated rights and materials: unregistered marks/goodwill (only with the business), unregistered designs, database right, know‑how/confidential information, domain names, and software/source code with escrow... Register...

The European Commission’s determination on whether buyers depend on domestic packaging suppliers, or whether the arena is EEA‑wide, will dictate if the merger triggers competition issues for regulators evaluating cross‑border supply dynamics. In earlier probes, the watchdog has increasingly suggested the market is heading clearly towards the latter as the prevailing direction of travel in recent years. Folding cartons are a form of cardboard pack used for everything from beer bottles and frozen pizzas to tobacco and medicines across consumer sectors. How straightforward the parties’ route to clearance proves could also rest on whether officials see a single cartons market, or one divided by end use and application. Ireland’s paper packaging group Smurfit Kappa and US competitor WestRock agreed last September to combine in an US$11bn transaction they say will forge a “global leader in sustainable packaging.” They have not yet filed with the Commission, but have indicated they expect to close in the second quarter of this year. When unveiling the tie‑up last year, the firms called it “geographically...

The Labour Manifesto Labour’s manifesto, titled ‘Change’, was released ahead of the General Election. It outlines a programme of actions the party vowed to deliver once in office, as has now occurred. The document says ‘ the climate and nature crisis is the greatest long-term global challenge that we face’ and that ‘ economic growth, energy security, lower bills, and addressing climate change can be complementary ’. Consequently, most green commitments sit in the second of five missions to ‘rebuild Britain’, focused on making ‘Britain a clean energy superpower’. At the heart of this is the Green Prosperity Plan, which—working with business through a National Wealth Fund—will invest to help the most energy intensive sectors decarbonise. The Manifesto also pledges action on the nature emergency, addressing pollution in rivers and seas, widening access to nature, supporting biodiversity, and safeguarding landscapes and wildlife. Linked promises feature in planning reforms set out under the ‘kickstart economic growth’ mission. For more on planning commitments, see News Analysis: What the planning industry can...

In this issue: Sustainable finance and ESG round–up Sanctions Aviation finance Shipping finance Sustainable finance Derivatives Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Useful information Sustainable finance and ESG round–up Sustainable finance and ESG weekly round–up For a summary of this week’s Sustainable finance and ESG news, see: Sustainable finance and ESG weekly round–up—11 July 2024. Sanctions Examining the EU sanctions directive approach to breaches On 24 April, the EU adopted Directive 2024/1226, which makes sanctions violations criminal offences. This will markedly change EU sanctions enforcement by harmonising rules on breaches of EU sanctions and setting shared definitions of criminal offences and penalties. For further detail, see News Analysis: Examining the EU sanctions directive approach to breaches. Aviation finance Lipton v BA Cityflyer Ltd [2024] All ER (D) 40 (Jul) The Supreme Court dismissed the appellant airline Cityflyer’s appeal from the Court of Appeal, Civil Division,...

This Practice Note compiles material on fiscal events across the 2025–26 tax year, beginning with the Spring Statement 2025 on 26 March 2025. For further detail on the Budget and Finance Bill procedures, as well as the broader fiscal timetable, see Practice Note: The Budget and Finance Bill process. Spring Statement 2025 On 26 March 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered the Spring Statement 2025 to Parliament. The government outlined consultations and policy papers on substantive and administrative tax measures and other prospective developments. For more on the announcements, see News Analyses: Video analysis—Spring Statement 2025: Private Client perspective Spring Statement 2025—Tax analysis Tax update spring 2025: simplification, administration and reform On 28 April 2025, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, issued a written ministerial statement setting out a package of measures to simplify and reform the tax system and improve tax administration. HMRC and HM Treasury released a complementary set of documents comprising a...

This Practice Note explores why post-termination restrictions (restrictive covenants) might be required within contracts of employment, as well as the usual categories commonly adopted in practice. For guidance: on interpreting post-termination restrictions, see Practice Note: Construing post-termination restrictions on whether a post-termination restriction is incorporated into the contract, see Practice Note: Incorporation of post-termination restrictions on assessing the reasonableness of post-termination restrictions, see Practice Note: Post-termination restrictions—reasonableness on leading decisions concerning the enforceability of post-termination restrictions, see Practice Note: Decisions on post-termination restrictions and garden leave in employment contracts The need for post-termination restrictions During employment, including any spell of garden leave directly before termination of employment (see Practice Note: Garden leave and the right to work), an employee remains subject to a range of implied obligations owed to their employer and must observe them accordingly...

Introduction Block exemption regimes provide widely applicable safe harbours from the EU prohibition on anticompetitive agreements as set out in Article 101(1) TFEU, so long as the arrangement satisfies the requirements of the relevant block exemption. Each such instrument rests on the presumption that any restrictive deal within its compass fulfils the four criteria in Article 101(3) TFEU that are needed for an individual exemption from the application of Article 101(1) TFEU (see further, Article 101(1) TFEU—the prohibition on restrictive agreements and Individual exemptions under Article 101(3) TFEU). Accordingly, every block exemption establishes a safe harbour that shields restrictive arrangements from legal challenge under Article 101 TFEU. The former Specialisation Block Exemption Regulation (EU) 1218/2010 (SBER 2010), which expired on 30 June 2023, had been in force since 1 January 2011. Following a review process and consultation with stakeholders, the updated Specialisation Block Exemption Regulation (EU) 2023 (SBER 2023) entered into force on 1 July 2023. Specialisation agreements are most likely to contribute to improvements in manufacturing or the...