LAW BRIEFS

Supply Management, Jul 17, 2008

Mediation Directive approved

The European Parliament and Council have approved an EU Directive on mediation in cross-border disputes. The Directive encourages the process and provides a framework for parties, including an article on confidentiality. The Ministry of Justice says the new framework means parties can feel secure that sensitive information will be protected if mediation fails.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/6x3fvb

OECD could do more to enforce anti-bribery measures

Anti-corruption group Transparency International (Tl) has released a report on the enforcement of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. Published in June, it found only two OECD members increased enforcement last year and less than half are meeting their commitments. The UK was among those considered lagging behind.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/6lll53p5

Ammunition supplier faces fraud charges

US munitions supplier AEY Inc and four of its employees/agents were indicted last month on fraud charges regarding the supply of ammunition to Afghanistan.

AEY was contracted by the US Army to buy ammunition but was prohibited from doing so from a "communist Chinese military company". The indictment alleges AEY obtained ammunition from China, used false documents stating the goods were made in Albania, and had the Chinese markings removed to conceal their origin.

Source: http://tlnyyrl.com/5zn6ht

Music copyright fee demands 'unfair', says FSB

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has criticised the Performing Right Society (PRS) for demanding backdated music licensing fees from small firms.

UK firms must have a PRS licence for copyright music played on CD, radio or TV in the workplace (other than on headphones), which generally costs a few hundred pounds a year. The FSB says chasing small firms for years of unpaid fees is unfair. See http://tinyurl.com/2m3bdb for details.

Source: www.oirt-law.com