Search results : 302

In October 2000, the Irish High Court issued a temporary order to restrain a company from using a domain name on the grounds that it would be likely to cause confusion. The second-named plaintiff is a company that provides information relating to Ireland to Internet users in a simple manner and free of charge. In 1997, the company registered with an international control organisation a number of domain names, using various combinations of the words "Local" and "Ireland". These domain names, together with other intellectual property rights, were subsequently transferred to the first-named plaintiff,...

The Irish Film Censor, Sheamus Smith, has made changes in two audience classification certificates for films released for cinema exhibition in Ireland. The new 12 PG certificate (replacing the Over 12's certificate) indicates that the film is suitable for persons of twelve years and older and for children under that age, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. The new 15 PG certificate (replacing the Over 15's certificate) indicates that the film is suitable for persons of fifteen years and older and for those under that age, provided that they are accompanied by a parent or guardian....

The recent referendum in Ireland on the question of whether to accept the Nice Treaty re-awakened some of the controversy surrounding political advertising. In the referendum campaign, activists from both sides of the debate were prevented from placing advertisements relating to the campaign on national and local radio and television. Section 10 subsection 3 of the Radio and Television Act, 1988 prohibits the broadcasting on radio or television of advertisements directed towards any religious or political end, or related to an industrial dispute. Earlier challenges to the constitutionality of...

In April 2001, the European Convention on Human Rights Bill was published by the Irish Government. The purpose of this piece of draft legislation is to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into the national legal order, thereby making rights under the Convention enforceable in the Irish courts. One result of this is that the media, in particular, will benefit from the strengthening of existing constitutional protection for freedom of expression by virtue of the incorporation of Article 10 of the European Convention. The introduction of the Bill was deemed necessary as Ireland has...

The Director of Telecommunications Regulation has issued a Decision Notice requiring Cable/MMDS (Microwave Multipoint Distribution System) licensees to implement a code of practice for handling complaints. She has also set out minimum standards for such codes. The Decision, which was issued on 6 April 2001, follows a very large increase in the number of complaints received by the Director concerning, inter alia, customer service, quality and billing. The new codes should help consumers to understand what level of service to expect and enable them to insist upon their rights. Following consultation...