Winnie the Pooh, Drones, and Gin Battles

Catching up on the last week

Author

Charlie Keast
March 04, 2024

Welcome to weekly legal/business updates, sharing the latest developments and noteworthy events in the legal and business sectors

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and welcome! In today's fast-paced world, it's overwhelming to keep up. That's why I've curated a weekly round-up of headlines that interest me. Stay informed, enhance your commercial awareness, and gain valuable insights. Sit back, relax, and let this newsletter be your companion in navigating news and knowledge.

Judge Quotes Winnie the Pooh in Decision Over “Raw” or “Artisan” Honey

Waltham Forest trading standards have been in a battle with Odysea, a honey producer, over their labelling of "raw" honey.

The authority deemed it misleading, prompting Odysea to change their labels. Odysea took the matter to court, disagreeing with the trading standards' definition of "raw" honey. Odysea argued that their honey is less processed and doesn’t get heated up above its natural temperature, but the term “raw” isn’t misleading as honey isn’t cooked. The court ruled in favour of Odysea stating that Odysea were not being misleading with labelling their honey as “raw”. Lord Neville even quoted the famous Winnie the Pooh, “‘The things that make me different are the things that make me me’, said Piglet, who must have seen quite a bit of honey eaten over the years. If he treated Pooh to some ‘raw honey’, what would be different about it?”

Changing Your Name as an Offender

A Private Members Bill, The Community and Suspended Sentences (Notification of Details) Bill, passed the second reading in the House of Commons. This stops offenders on community-based sentences from changing their name in secret and creates a duty to notify their probation officer of any name/contact details change. The aim is to keep communities safe and ensure better supervision of offenders.

 Fighting Over Gin Bottles

Aldi has lost its appeal against a ruling that it infringed Marks and Spencer's design of a festive gin-based liqueur bottle featuring gold flakes and LED lights.

In a recent legal battle, M&S claimed that Aldi’s gold flake clementine and blackberry gin bear a “strikingly similar” resemblance to their own products, including the shape of their registered design bottle. Aldi has appealed the judgment, and now, the verdict is in. Judge Hacon, after careful consideration, has ruled in favour of M&S, dismissing Aldi’s appeal. This landmark judgment serves as a powerful reminder of the immense importance and value of registered designs in safeguarding intellectual property rights.

M&S sues Aldi over copycat Christmas gin bottle design

This marks the second time the discount retailer has been accused of copying M&S’ designs this year

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/m-and-s-sues-aldi-christmas-gin-b1977253.html

New Pilot for Domestic Abuse Victims

The new pilot starting in the spring will reduce the number of hearings a victim of domestic abuse has to go to. Those seeking occupancy or non-molestation orders will be able to get these from the magistrate’s court or family court without the need for multiple hearings. This is with the hope of improving access to the courts with legal aid cuts affecting those in vulnerable situations.

Aviation Autonomy

With the rapid increase of developing technology and use of AI, the Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport have asked the Law Commission to review the law of autonomous flight. A new consultation paper released by the Law Commission on the 26th of February, ‘Aviation autonomy’, is looking at reforms to make autonomous/remote flights safe. The focuses are on drones, advanced air mobility and air traffic management. The consultation closes on the 27th of May 2024.

You can find out more here —> https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/aviation-autonomy/ 

Kanye West/Ye Sued for Using Donna Summer Song “I Feel Love” in His New Album

The estate of the late Donna Summer sued Kanye/Ye after he was refused a licence to use the hit song ‘I Feel Love’ but used it anyway in his new song ‘Good (Don’t Die')’. Thew new track has since been removed from streaming platforms. The estate is claiming copyright infringement and asking for maximum damages - $150,000 (£118,000).

Kanye West sued by Donna Summer's estate over 'stealing' from I Feel Love

Donna Summer's estate claims Kanye West engaged in "blatant theft" after he was told he could not use a sample from her hit I Feel Love on his new album.

news.sky.com/story/kanye-west-sued-by-donna-summers-estate-over-stealing-from-i-feel-love-13082987

Fun facts for your friends…

The name of this newsletter is based on a well-known law for being slightly bizarre. The Salmon Act 1986 makes it illegal for someone to “hold a salmon in suspicious circumstances”. With some context it does make more rational sense, with the aim to stop people selling salmon illegally on the black market.

Salmon Act 1986

An Act to make fresh provision for the administration of salmon fisheries in Scotland; to provide as to the licensing and regulation of salmon dealing in Scotland and in England and Wales; to provide for, and as respects, certain offences in the law of Scotland and in the law of England and Wales in connection with salmon; to amend the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, section 5 of the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 and section 9 of the Diseases of Fish Act 1983; to provide for the review of salmon fishing by means of nets; and for connected purposes.

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/62/contents

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