Germany: IP as key success factor for start-ups and academic spin-offs

Recently published research of the European Patent Office and the UK government as well as a German government agency’s policy paper confirm the role of IP for start-up success, particularly for academic spin-offs.

Germany: Q&A on the ZuFinG

The newly passed Future Financing Act (Zukunftsfinanzierungsgesetz) in Germany significantly expands the scope of Section 19a EStG, enhancing employee equity participation by extending tax deferral benefits and eligibility criteria for companies.

Germany: Federal Court of Justice (BGH) tightens duty of disclosure of real estate sellers

The Federal Court of Justice has ruled the following: Sellers of real estate must inform buyers about potential costs for upcoming maintenance works without being asked - regardless of the buyer’s possibility to inspect the respective documents uploaded in a (virtual) data room.

Germany: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medical devices: The better the product, the harder the conformity assessment?

Artificially intelligent medical software, vital for diagnostics and treatment, faces certification challenges with dynamic AI, which continuously learns, being generally uncertifiable. This situation underlines the need for updated regulations to support AI's evolving role in healthcare.

Germany: LG Hamburg: Misleading advertising for therapeutic allergens with profitability

In its ruling of December 15, 2022, the Regional Court of Hamburg prohibited a statutory health insurance company from providing doctors with information that incorrectly advertised the cost-effectiveness of a therapeutic allergen.