SPIEGEL, Cicero und jetzt DIE ZEIT. Wieder einmal setzt ein Gericht die Pressefreiheit mit Durchsuchungsbeschlüssen unter Druck. Anders als bei der SPIEGEL-Affäre in den 1960er Jahren und der Durchsuchung beim Cicero in den 2000er Jahren geht es diesmal nicht um
Can Employees Unilaterally Cancel Parental Leave? German Federal Labor Court Provides Clarity for Employers
Can Employees Unilaterally Cancel Parental Leave? German Federal Labor Court Provides Clarity for Employers
May an employee unilaterally withdraw a previously requested period of parental leave if the statutory eligibility requirements cease to be met before the leave begins? The
EDEKA/Tegut Merger Cleared With Extensive Commitments
Background
The German food retail sector has long faced intense scrutiny from the Federal Cartel Office (FCO). Following a major 2014 sector inquiry into buyer power, the regulator has consistently maintained a strict stance on industry dealmaking: blocking EDEKA’s proposed
No Proof of Authority, No Termination, Germany’s Federal Labor Court Rules
Quick Hits
- Germany’s Federal Labor Court held in a recent decision that if the body with authority to represent the company authorizes individual members to represent the company alone, the termination notice may be rejected if proof of that authorization
Pillars of Society
Thirteen men and two women make up the Christian Democratic Union’s group in the newly constituted state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt. On Tuesday, four of them helped elect a right-wing extremist as President of the Landtag. In protocol, and in politics
Stützen der Gesellschaft
13 Männer und zwei Frauen bilden im soeben konstituierten Landtag von Sachsen-Anhalt die Fraktion der Christlich-Demokratischen Union. Vier von ihnen haben am Dienstag einen Rechtsextremen in das protokollarisch und durchaus auch politisch außerordentlich bedeutsame Amt des Landtagspräsidenten gewählt. Wer genau
Br(e)aking news: Germany’s last minute EmpCo transition rule
Since 27 September 2026, the rules of the Empowering Consumers Directive (EmpCo Directive) apply in the EU Member States. The EmpCo Directive aims to tackle unfair commercial practices that mislead consumers and prevent them from making sustainable consumption choices, such
Germany adopts new product liability regime
Germany has completed a far-reaching reform of its product liability regime to implement Directive (EU) 2024/2853. The new framework, which becomes applicable on 9 December 2026, extends product liability rules to software and AI-related technologies while strengthening claimants’ procedural tools
Colour me orange: German Supreme Court sets high bar for acquired distinctiveness of abstract colour marks
Obtaining trade mark protection for abstract colour trade marks on the basis of acquired distinctiveness is particularly challenging because “traditional” evidence of the commercial success of the goods or services (turnover, market share, advertising expenses etc.) does not help to
Legora collaborates with BMW Group to advance AI-enabled legal services
BMW Group is further integrating AI into its legal operations by rolling out Legora across its in-house legal team. The initiative supports the department’s strategy to enhance efficiency, strengthen knowledge management, and enable lawyers to maintain focus on strategic legal