01 Sep 2023

The Barbenheimer Phenomenon

This year, the internet has been captivated by a sensation known as “Barbenheimer,” a phenomenon that emerged just before the blockbuster film releases of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” Having previously explored the Barbie intellectual property (IP) landscape, it’s astonishing to find yet another connection between these two cinematic sensations that stand at opposite ends of the IP spectrum. Oppenheimer and the IP Landscape When diving into the Oppenheimer film, a captivating narrative about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb, we find unexpected threads of intellectual property intricacies interwoven with the quest for nuclear energy.  Unknown to many, the U.S. government […]

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30 Aug 2023

Digital Services Act Takes Effect on Large Platforms

August 25, 2023, marks a monumental shift as the Digital Services Act (“DSA“) takes center stage, impacting industry giants like Amazon, Google, Apple, and TikTok.  With 19 platforms and search engines, each having a minimum of 45 million users, the DSA takes action to uphold data privacy, combat disinformation, and eliminate online hate speech.  This dynamic legislation aims to give users, including minors, enhanced rights and control over their online presence, fostering a high level of privacy and security. What’s the story? Back on April 25, 2023, the first designation decisions were made, designating very large online platforms (“VLOPs“) and […]

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25 Aug 2023

Bogdan Gecić on the EU CBAM

Bogdan Gecić, Founding Partner at Gecić Law, was featured in eKapija for his insights on the immanent and profound transformation in both environmental and international trade regimes, propelled by the European Union’s groundbreaking Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation.  As the CBAM takes effect on October 1, 2023, Bogdan detailed his insights for eKapija.  The article is titled “The Revolutionary New EU Carbon Import Tariff: What Do You Need to Know?” The article explains the motivation and reasoning behind this unique regulation.  With the CBAM, the EU pioneers the world’s first carbon border tax on imports in the EU.  Accordingly, […]

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24 Aug 2023

Goal-Line Collusion: Football Clubs and the Cost of Unfair Play

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation in September 2021 and has now issued a statement of objections outlining its preliminary findings.  This investigation was triggered by admissions from both Leicester City FC and JD Sports, acknowledging their engagement in anti-competitive behavior.  Their actions were found to limit competition in the sales of Leicester City-branded clothing, including replica kits, within the UK. The fine is related to the sale of Leicester City football kits and other branded clothing supplied by Leicester City to JD Sports over two and a half football seasons.  According to the Competition and Markets […]

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18 Aug 2023

EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): Key Considerations

Introduction The European Union has initiated the world’s first carbon border tax, known as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), in a strategic move to tackle the mounting concerns of climate change.  The CBAM is designed to level the competitive landscape, ensuring that EU companies, which are already bearing the cost of their carbon emissions, remain on equal footing with enterprises originating from nations with minimal or no carbon emission charges.  While the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) stands as a significant development in the realm of climate policy, its ramifications extend beyond environmental considerations, reshaping the contours of international […]

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16 Aug 2023

Leveraging Intellectual Property: Unraveling the Success Story of Barbie’s Brand Evolution

Since the release of the Barbie movie, there’s been an unmistakable global buzz.  Beyond film, it has driven sales across Barbie merchandise, from costumes and makeup to beverages and even a rentable Barbie dreamhouse.  The success of the Barbie movie, dolls, and brand hinges on Mattel’s prudent approach to protecting their intellectual property rights. Origins The story begins in 1956 when Ruth Handler, a co-founder of Mattel Inc, came across a German doll named Bild Lilli during a vacation in Switzerland.   Mattel took the Lilli doll and made some slight cosmetic alterations, changing the doll’s hairline and eyebrows.  Thus, the […]

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09 Aug 2023

How close are Western Balkans to the EU ETS?

As we previously reported, the pivotal Energy Community Ministerial Meeting held in Tepelenë, Albania, in June signaled potential developments in green energy and decarbonization in the Western Balkans (WB). High-ranking officials, including Energy Community Contracting Parties ministers, European Commission representatives, and Energy Community Secretariat members, converged at the Informal Ministerial Council Meeting to deliberate on salient energy issues, with the centerpiece being the Energy Community Decarbonisation Roadmap, which aims to establish a regional emissions trading system (“ETS“) and set ambitious decarbonization targets. These talks hold immense importance in implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Regulation (“CBAM“), specifically in the electricity […]

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08 Aug 2023

Two Gecić Law Partners Recognized in Who’s Who Legal M&A and Governance 2023 Edition

We are proud to announce that, in a significant acknowledgment of our legal prowess, the recently released 2023 edition of “Who’s Who Legal: M&A and Governance” has recognized as many as two of our partners as leading lawyers in the field.  Our partners Bogdan Gecić and Ognjen Colić were both distinguished among the select few to represent the market among leading figures in the international legal community and eminent global firms, including White & Case, Hogan Lovells, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, and Latham Watkins, to name a few.  The coveted publication has showcased the unparalleled expertise of our esteemed professionals.  […]

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01 Aug 2023

EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework: A New Adequacy Decision for Transatlantic Data Flows

On July 10, 2023, the European Commission (“Commission“) adopted its adequacy decision for the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (“DPF”).   The decision concludes that the United States (“US”) ensures an adequate level of data protection – comparable to that of the European Union (“EU“). What does this mean for EU Individuals and Businesses? The much-anticipated decision brings a conclusive resolution to the legal uncertainties surrounding the export of EU users’ data by US companies, an issue that has troubled thousands of businesses in recent years.  The General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR“) empowers the Commission to determine, through an implementing act, whether […]

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31 Jul 2023

Serbia Eases Conditions for Foreigners’ Residence and Work

Serbia is opening its doors wider to foreign workers due to several factors.  The qualified labor shortages, technological and economic growth, and the effects of globalization have made it essential to simplify and facilitate the residence and work procedures for foreigners in Serbia.  Recognizing this need, last winter Serbia began drafting amendments to three foundational immigration laws: the Foreigners Act, the Foreigners’ Employment Act, and the Citizenship Act. Two of these, he amendments to the Foreigners Act and the Foreigners’ Employment Act, have been adopted by the National Assembly.  These changes aim to provide a more streamlined and appealing environment […]

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