Commercial Law International

Competition, Corporate
Take Over Talks Between IBM And Sun Microsystems Collapse

By Ainsley Brown on April 8, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown In what would be the largest acquisition in IBM’s history, talks to take over its rival Sun Microsystems have collapsed. The deal worth an estimated $7 billion broke off after Sun Microsystems’ dissatisfaction with the share price IMB was offering consequently it terminated IBM’s exclusive negotiating status. In response IBM withdrew its offer. All of this could… Continue reading "Take Over Talks Between IBM And Sun Microsystems Collapse"
Corporate Social Responsibility, Energy, Environment, Ethics, Indigenous Peoples, Litigation
UK Oil Company Accused Of Trying To Buy Witnesses

By Ainsley Brown on April 7, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown It is situations like these that simply go to fuel the general public distain for multinational. I guess the one positive thing that comes out of this and other similar situations is that it provides ample material for Michael Moore– esque films – just great entertainment. Despite the entertainment value of such films they often depict the… Continue reading "UK Oil Company Accused Of Trying To Buy Witnesses"
Commercial Awareness, Entrepreneurial, Food & Beverage, Intellectual Property, Litigation
German Multinational Loses Teapot Battle

By Ainsley Brown on April 3, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown It is an understatement to say that the English take their tea very seriously. And it is little wonder why a small teashop in Surrey, England, even when faced with potential financial ruin, would not back down from a much larger German multinational. This is a tale about tea better yet teapots; a David and a Goliath;… Continue reading "German Multinational Loses Teapot Battle"
Competition, Corporate, Energy
New Canadian Competition Rules To Be Tested Sooner Rather Than Later

By Ainsley Brown on April 2, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown The Suncor Energy Inc. attempted take over of Petro-Canada is going to prove to be the first test of the amended and some would say controversial Competition Act. According to the new rules the Competition Bureau has a 30 day tome frame in which to either approve the C$19.2 billion deal or issue a second request from… Continue reading "New Canadian Competition Rules To Be Tested Sooner Rather Than Later"
Agriculture, Commercial Awareness, commodity, E-Commerce, Food & Beverage, Intellectual Property
Jamaican Coffee Industry Takes Branding To The Next Level

By Ainsley Brown on March 31, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown The Jamaican Coffee Industry Board (CIB) launched its new website last week. The site, according to The Gleaner, promises to be the main source of comprehensive information on Jamaican coffee for buyers and stakeholders. The CIB, a quasi-independent statutory body, is charged with the responsibility of having oversight over the various players in the Jamaican coffee industry.… Continue reading "Jamaican Coffee Industry Takes Branding To The Next Level"
Commercial, Corporate
A new type of company for Germany

By Carsten Lexa on March 30, 2009

By: Rechtsanwalt (Attorney) Carsten Lexa, LL.M. In November 2008 Germany introduced a new type of company – the so-called “Business Company (with limited liability)” (“Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt)” – UG). Essentially, this is a variation of the highly successful German “Limited Liability Company” (“Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung” – GmbH), and therefore the regulations regarding the Limited Liability Company, set out in the… Continue reading "A new type of company for Germany"
Commercial Awareness, EU, Food & Beverage, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Marketing/PR
Bud vs. Bud: American Beer Giant Loses Trademark Battle To Tiny Czech Rival.

By Ainsley Brown on March 27, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown Hey it’s Friday and after a long week of work I can be forgiven if my mind I s drifting – oh the joys of a nice ice-cold-beer. MMMMMMMMMM. Anyway before I get too ahead of myself, I still have the day to complete before I can enjoy said beer. However, I can at least think about… Continue reading "Bud vs. Bud: American Beer Giant Loses Trademark Battle To Tiny Czech Rival."
Banking, Competition, Government Policy, Investment
Yet Another Chapter In The Northern Rock Saga.

By Ainsley Brown on March 26, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown The troubled – nationalized – UK mortgage lender is back in the news yet again. I guess the headline should have been: Northern Rock, The Never Ending Story. However, the good news this time is that it’s not about shareholders trying to use the Human Rights Act to bring a case against the government for compensation. No,… Continue reading "Yet Another Chapter In The Northern Rock Saga."
Asset Management, Banking, Capital Markets, Economy, Government Policy
Obama Administration Toxic Asset Plan: I Just Don’t Get It.

By Ainsley Brown on March 24, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown I must say that I consider myself a relatively intelligent person – though admittedly not an economic guy – I believe myself able to grasp practically any concept once explained. And the Obama toxic asset plan, I just don’t get it. Please do not read this as either a general criticism of the President or the specific… Continue reading "Obama Administration Toxic Asset Plan: I Just Don’t Get It."
Crime, Ethics, Intellectual Property, Litigation
Two British Engineers Charged With Espionage… Industrial Espionage That Is.

By Ainsley Brown on March 23, 2009

By: Ainsley Brown No, no this is not a joke nor is it a case of a 007 mission gone awry. Its is a simple case of two British engineers; a British company and its subsidiary; a mobile phone; an American tire company’s secret equipment; and a Chinese tire company. Oh all so simple, indeed. The two engineers, Mr. Clark… Continue reading "Two British Engineers Charged With Espionage… Industrial Espionage That Is."