Search results : 1510

On 11 May 2005 the European Parliament and the Council signed a Directive prohibiting unfair commercial practices (see IRIS 2005-4: 5, IRIS 2004-7: 3 and IRIS 2003-8: 5). In so doing, EU authorities have taken the protection of consumers' interests a step further. This Directive is an amending addition to several others covering the same field: the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts (Directives 84/450/EEC and 97/7/EC), injunctions for the protection of consumers' interests (Directive 98/27/EC) and the distance marketing of consumer financial services (Directive 2002/65/EC)....

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has issued a new set of Guidelines on Marketing and Advertising Using Electronic Media formerly called ICC Guidelines on Advertising using the Internet. This latest version covers a wide array of electronic media besides the internet, like digital radio and television, telephone use and MMS/SMS. The Guidelines aim to provide the business community with a code of conduct for ethical marketing and complement applicable national and international laws. The ICC notes that in the ever-developing communications environment it is in the interest of businesses...

On 2 March 2005 the Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (Italian Communications Authority - AGCOM) concluded the first analysis of the Italian broadcasting and advertising markets according to the Broadcasting Act no. 112/2004 (see IRIS 2004-6: 12) and adopted specific remedies to ensure pluralism in these markets. The proceeding was opened in October 2004 pursuant to art. 14 of law no. 112 and concluded that the concerned markets are still characterized by a duopolistic structure where RAI, RTI (controlled by Mediaset) and Publitalia (RTI's advertising agency) hold a position capable...

Act No 457/2004 on the Advertising of Tobacco Products (Legea privind publicitatea şi sponsorizarea pentru produsele din tutun),published in parliamentary gazette No 1067 of 17 November 2004, introduces new rules on the advertising of tobacco products and sponsorship by tobacco companies. The Act is modelled on relevant EU texts including Directive 2003/33/EC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products, and certain provisions of Council Recommendation No 2003/54/EC on the prevention...

On 25 January 2005 the Rechtbank Utrecht (District Court of Utrecht) concluded in summary judgment that two regional television broadcasters were not obliged to broadcast a television commercial. The plaintiff in the case was the author of a book entitled “Judas”, which he described as an erotic thriller. The book contains three stories that all address the relationship between Christianity and homosexuality. The plaintiff developed a television commercial to promote his book. The commercial shows images of Jesus and Judas while a voice-over poses a number of questions on the relationship between...