| In Principle

The amendment to the Industrial Property Law extended the rights of trademark proprietors. From 16 March 2019, on the basis of domestic regulations, they may prevent transit of counterfeit goods.

International arbitration is often referred to as an area of globalisation par excellence. It is an institution of global civil society. It is living proof that global society can freely govern itself, even in such vital areas as the adjudication of legal disputes, including those involving public and politically sensitive matters.

Cybersecurity Protocol for International Arbitration: Three international organisations—ICCA, the New York City Bar Association and CPR—are introducing best practice in protecting against cyber threats.

A proposal for amendment of the Renewable Energy Sources Act has been published. It is intended to enable production of new RES while keeping energy prices as low as possible for users.

On 5 March 2019, a legislative proposal was submitted to the Sejm to regulate business activity conducted from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Gibraltar following Brexit. Similar laws are now being drawn up in a number of other EU countries. The bill is intended to protect Polish customers who have agreements with institutions of that kind. It is also intended to enable the firms to bring their business activities and relationships with customers to a close in an orderly fashion, or take the appropriate measures to remain on the Polish market according to rules that apply to third countries.

Following Malta and Liechtenstein, France has become the next country to introduce laws on business activity relating to blockchain, ICOs and cryptocurrencies.

If a bank denies financing for a contract for rolling stock (or other items subject to a tender) awarded in conformity with the principle of competitiveness because material collateral cannot be established in Poland, the contracting authority is required to award a contract for delivery with financing.

On 1 March 2019, an important amendment to the Civil Code comes into force, providing for the possibility of validating actions by a “false” corporate body. Up to now, such a possibility has applied only to actions by a “false” attorney-in-fact.

In anticipation of the new Public Procurement Law, the market is wandering in an uncharted wilderness of digitalisation, stumbling time and again over the ill-considered consequences of rulings. Public procurement needs a signpost: permanent and specific rules in line with the regulations.

“GMO-free” offers a strong and appealing marketing message. The use of this claim is not regulated at the EU level. Individual member states, including Poland, are adopting national criteria that must be met by products for the manufacturer to call them GMO-free. What are these criteria, and what products do they apply to?

On 12 February 2019, the Online Arbitration Court (OAC) was launched, intended by the architects to be a ground-breaking development in the Polish judicial system and a revolutionary development for business.

Virtual currencies are a reality, but large countries have taken a conservative stance towards them, and have not legislated on this issue in their legal systems. Small countries, on the other hand, seeking a source of revenue, are trying to specialise to attract representatives of the world of new technologies and cryptocurrencies. The legislative initiatives taken recently by Malta and Liechtenstein are an example.