News September 2008
Litigation - Decree-Law and Bill Bring Further Civil Justice Reforms
Italy's new government is introducing changes to the civil justice system. A decree-law, now converted into law, introduced new rules on class actions, the striking-out of proceedings and service by email, while further proposals in a new bill would affect witness statements, costs awards and the claims heard by justices of the peace.
E-commerce - ISP Liability: Television Network Mediaset Sues Google and YouTube
In a dispute centred on around 4,000 online audiovisual clips, Italian television network Mediaset is reportedly suing Google and video-sharing website YouTube for €500 million in damages before the Court of Rome. The claim raises significant questions about the liability of internet service providers, which has proved a problematic issue for the Italian courts.
Product liability - Blood Derivative Products: Supreme Court Rules on Causation and Limitation
Two decisions by the joint divisions of the Supreme Court have laid down significant principles on causation and limitation. Although the claims involved treatment with blood derivative products, the court's reasoning is likely to affect a far wider range of cases.
Labour - Supreme Court Rules on Monitoring in the Workplace
In a recent case a supermarket verified the illicit behaviour of an employee using a private detective agency. The Supreme Court applied the guidelines which it had previously established for the interpretation of Article 2 of Law 300/70, which defines the lawful limits for monitoring in order to protect company property.
European Law - European Commission Presents Proposal for New European Private Company
The European Commission recently presented its proposal for a Council Regulation on the Statute for a European Private Company. With the objective of making the single market more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises, the proposal offers a uniform yet flexible corporate vehicle which is aimed at enabling these companies to use the same company form across the European Union.
