Filing trade mark applications in Europe: mind your spec… *

European Union - July 17 2012
All trade mark applications in Europe must be filed with respect to a defined list of goods and services, for which the trade mark is to be protected.

Co-authors: Nicholas C.A. Bolter, Colin Sawdy.

Insurers given chance to early adopt Solvency II *

United Kingdom - December 13 2011
On 8 December 2011, Julian Adams, Director of Insurance at the Financial Services Authority (FSA), explained in a speech to the Association of British Insurers how UK (re)insurance companies may be permitted to start their Solvency II implementation as initially scheduled on 1 January 2013 rather than on the delayed implementation date of 1 January 2014.

Co-authors: Kate Colman.

EIOPA submits Solvency II equivalency assessments on Bermuda, Japan and Switzerland *

European Union - October 31 2011
On 26 October 2011, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority submitted its final advice to the European Commisson on its assessment of the Solvency II equivalence of the supervisory systems of Bermuda, Japan and Switzerland.

Co-authors: Theo Godfrey.

Steering group launched to guide development of "simple" financial products *

United Kingdom - October 25 2011
On 20 October 2011, Mark Hobson, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, announced the establishment of a new steering group whose aim is to develop a new, simple suite of financial products to help consumers navigate the financial services market.