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On September 11, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJV) published a draft bill to reform product liability law.
The draft of the NIS-2 Implementation and Cybersecurity Strengthening Act (NIS2UmsuCG) introduced by the German government will be discussed in the Bundestag tomorrow.
According to the Federal Network Agency, telecommunications secrecy no longer applies to employers when employees use company email accounts privately.
Employees are not entitled to continued remuneration after a tattoo if they are unable to work due to complications such as inflammation.
Your experience is needed: take part in an online evaluation of the Whistleblower Protection Act.
On September 3, 2025, the Federal Cabinet adopted an amendment to the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). The reporting obligation will be deleted without replacement and the list of sanctions reduced.
The Higher Regional Court of Brandenburg decides on the classification of a contract for the construction of a photovoltaic system, reference decision of 06.06.2025 - 10 U 27/25 and decision of 10.07.2025 - 10 U 27/25.
A company that provides an address for shipping goods & returns address for business contacts outside the EU is liable as a disturber for trademark infringement.
If there is only a purely hypothetical risk that personal data will be misused by unauthorized third parties, this does not lead to a claim for damages under the GDPR.
This reform of public procurement law, which was developed by the BMWE, implements extensive measures to simplify, accelerate and digitalize public procurement law.
In a recently published decision, the Federal Court of Justice ruled that cloud services do not have to pay a copyright levy for private copies stored in the cloud.
Since August 2, 2025, the provisions on general-purpose AI models and sanctions of the AI Act, among others, have been applicable. In this article, we explain what this means for companies.
The court decision primarily concerns the question of whether a patent proprietor is liable for the economic consequences of a warning letter if the underlying patent is not valid.
The Higher Regional Court of Schleswig-Holstein decides on the admissibility of long contract terms in commercial transactions under general terms and conditions law.
Errors in the allocation of exclusive distribution territories can jeopardize the exemption of exclusive distribution, the ECJ has ruled. Companies should review their distribution agreements.
The use of publicly accessible telephone numbers for advertising purposes does not fall under the GDPR's authorization to safeguard legitimate interests unless the advertiser has at least presumed consent within the meaning of Section 7 UWG.
The Federal Patent Court recently dealt with the issue of a trademark application in bad faith and its relationship to a so-called functionally invalid application.
No-poaching agreements have been in the sights of antitrust authorities for some time. Now the European Commission has imposed severe fines for the first time.
The adequacy decisions with the United Kingdom have been extended by the EU Commission for a further six months.
A probationary period termination can be classified as contrary to good faith due to contradictory behavior if the takeover was previously promised.
As part of the latest trilogue negotiations, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on the Regulation on compulsory Union licenses for crisis management.
Even after the reform of the Unfair Competition Act (UWG), the so-called "flying jurisdiction" for infringements in the online sector remains permissible in principle. The only exception is if there is a risk of abusive, mass action.
On 21 May 2025, the EU Commission presented a fourth omnibus package to reduce the annual administrative costs for companies. It also provides for simplifications in the implementation of data protection for certain companies.
In its judgment of March 20, 2025 (case no. 6 U 3824/22), the Munich Higher Regional Court (OLG) commented on the FRAND objection for the first time in the context of main proceedings.
In a FAQ, the EU Commission has clarified what the AI Regulation (AI Act) means by AI competence and what obligations apply to the operators of AI systems.
Forwarding of personal employee data by works council member via private email account justifies exclusion from works council
Compensation after loss of control of data
Disclosure of health data by employers can lead to compensation.
The EU's regulatory approach to perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) is jeopardizing entire production processes in mechanical and plant engineering - including in ventilation technology. A recent publication provides detailed knowledge for the industry.
With its new position paper, VDMA Building Technology appeals to politicians to set the right course for a sustainable and competitive turnaround in construction and modernization.
Better protection for people in the event of a fire - modern technology in buildings, such as smoke extraction systems, can help. At a symposium, the VDMA General Ventilation Technology Association presented new findings on securing buildings in the event of a fire.
The General Court of the European Union recently dealt with a case concerning the partial revocation of an EU figurative mark (General Court, judgment of 22.01.2025, Ref. T-517/23).
The amendment to the German Federal Emission Protection Ordinance (4th BImSchV) by the German legislator brings clarity and relief both for the placing on the market of smaller electrolysers below 5 MW and for large-scale plants.
The BGH has confirmed that data protection violations can be prosecuted not only by the data subjects themselves, but also by competitors and consumer associations.
The BAG specifies the requirements for non-material claims for damages under Art. 82 para. 1 GDPR.
The current EU-US Data Privacy Framework constitutes a legal basis for the transfer of personal data to the USA. How do current political developments affect this data transfer instrument?
The reform of foundation law, which came into force on 1 July 2023, has redefined foundation law in a nationwide manner. Part of this regulation is the introduction of the central, publicly accessible register of foundations with publicity effect.
To admit or not to admit bidders from third countries? The contracting authority may decide.
Section 273a of the German Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO), which was introduced on April 1, 2025, provides extended protection for owners of trade secrets.
The AI Act entered into force 2 August 2024. A VDMA FAQ document was prepared together with the law firm FPS to provide non-binding guidance, now available as 2nd edition.
Automatic email responses can justify a warning under unfair competition law.
Company agreements must be fully GDPR-compliant.
With its new position paper, VDMA Building Technology appeals to politicians to set the course for a sustainable and competitive turnaround in construction and modernization.
The draft bill for the German national Data Act Implementation Act was published at the beginning of February. To effectively implement the Data Act the draft bill needs to be adopted rather sooner than later.
The BGH decides on the question of whether arbitration proceedings are inadmissible if there is a risk that the arbitral tribunal will apply an ineffective contractual penalty provision.
In its final judgment of 08.01.2025 - 7 U 1776/23 - the Higher Regional Court of Munich deals in passing with the commercial letter of confirmation and confirms the established case law.
The Austrian Supreme Court issued a decision on the protection of trade secrets against former employees. Accordingly, the owner of a trade secret must protect it appropriately from a former employee.
In this session of the event series "With new knowledge into the year 2025", VDMA Power Systems will shed light on the topic of the CS3D supply chain law.
Pay slips may only be provided online
Assistance from the VDMA legal department on dismissals for operational reasons
The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled that a third-party loan can be classified as a subordinated shareholder loan, even if the general partner GmbH does not hold a share in the capital of the GmbH & Co. KG receiving the loan.
By denying a trade union the right of digital access to the company, the BAG sets limits to the institutional freedom of association.
Your opinion is needed: How do public procurement rules work in Europe?
The ECJ has denied protected access for economic operators from third countries that are not part of the GPA or a similar agreement.
The Mannheim Regional Court has issued the first decision of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) regarding FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) (UPC, Local Chamber Mannheim, judgment of 22.11.2024, UPC_CFI_210/2023 - Panasonic/OPPO).
Suppliers beware. According to the ECJ, a (quasi-)manufacturer is not only someone who produces a product, but also someone who sells it under the same name and logo as the manufacturer.
Two judgments published at the end of 2024 could contribute to more cases being heard before the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in future.
From June 2025, new accessibility requirements will be imposed on products and services in accordance with the German Accessibility Strengthening Act. But is the law also relevant for mechanical and plant engineering?
The new EU Product Liability Directive was published in the EU Official Journal on 18.11.2024, enters into force on the twentieth day after its publication and must be transposed into national law by 09.12.2026.
A business service is fully liable for incorrect information about companies generated by AI if an error-prone system is deliberately used and responsibility for the content is assumed.
Simplify construction processes, but never compromise on standards
The decision of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) of May 7, 2024 (case reference: X ZR 104/22) deals with the question of how to calculate damages for patent infringements committed in patent-free foreign countries.
Companies have the opportunity to participate in a BMAS dialog series on fair supply chains. The kick-off event will take place on November 11, 2024 in Berlin.
Shortening of retention periods for accounting documents.
The question of whether copyright-protected works may be used for AI training purposes is becoming increasingly important. The Hamburg Regional Court has now issued its first ruling on the use of images by an AI provider.
The ECJ has ruled in a preliminary ruling procedure on the conflict between the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and commercial law, restricting shareholders' right to information.
Impact on mechanical and plant engineering in conjunction with electrical automation
"Googling" as part of a recruitment process triggers information obligations towards the applicant and can lead to a claim for compensation.
Charging a hybrid vehicle without permission can have consequences under employment law.
The Berlin Court of Appeal has ruled in a case that companies are liable per se in the area of GDPR violations. An administrative order imposing a fine does not have to specify the natural person who may have been responsible for a breach of duty.
The EU Data Regulation came into force on January 11, 2024. A VDMA FAQ document has been compiled and updated to provide non-binding guidance.
Action is required for all companies with at least 50 employees
On April 18, 2023, the German cabinet presented a draft law to increase energy efficiency and amend the Energy Services Act. An overview of the current status.
A bombshell from Erfurt: according to the Federal Labor Court, employers are obliged to record their employees' working hours.
Finding your way through the legal jungle for packaging: Here you will find all relevant information on laws and regulations at European and national level.
