Search results : 1510

In a new Communication “On Fighting spam, spyware and malicious software”, issued on 15 November 2006, the European Commission states that more efforts are needed for fostering the reliability and security of electronic communications networks and services than have been undertaken so far. Pointing to the fact that spam accounts for 50% to 80% of messages addressed to end-users and that spam and malicious software cost up to EUR 50 billion worldwide in 2005, and further emphasising the increasingly fraudulent and criminal nature of unsolicited e-mail, the Commission encourages Member States to...

In December 2003, the Secretary of State asked the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) to consider proposals to strengthen the rules on food and drink advertising to children. After extensive research and consultation, Ofcom has now reached a controversial decision to ban all advertisements for products that are high in fat, salt and sugar in and around all programmes of particular appeal to children under the age of 16, broadcast at any time of day or night on any channel. This will include a total ban on such advertising in and around all children’s programmes and on dedicated children’s channels...

Although sponsorship of programmes has been allowed in the United Kingdom for fifteen years, sponsorship of channels has so far not been permitted. The Office of Communications (Ofcom) has announced that, after extensive consultation, it has decided to amend its Broadcasting Code to permit the sponsorship of commercial television channels and radio stations. Important safeguards are retained to preserve editorial integrity and to protect children. Originally Ofcom had proposed that channels which contained programmes which could not be sponsored (news and current affairs) could not themselves be...

On 14 November 2006 the Court of Cassation delivered a noteworthy decision in a case involving an advertisement showing a photograph inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of “The Last Supper’ (and by the Da Vinci Code!) to promote a brand of clothing. Unlike the original painting, the characters here were women wearing the brand’s clothing, except for one man, whose bare back was shown. The advertisement, measuring 400 square metres, had been attached to the facade of a building in Paris for one month to mark the launch of the spring/summer collection of the brand in question. An association...

On 9 November 2006, the Bundestag adopted a bill banning tobacco advertising. The law is meant to transpose Directive 2003/33/EC on the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products in media other than television. Under the new Act, tobacco advertising will be prohibited not only on television and radio, but also in newspapers, magazines and on the Internet. Sponsorship by tobacco manufacturers will also be restricted. Despite the deadline of 31 July 2005, Germany has still not transposed the Directive into domestic law; in fact, it complained to the Court of Justice of the European Communities...