Latest blog articles

  • How to make surfboards: a checklist for our future graduates

    “What kind of skills do we want our graduates to have?” was the main topic of discussion during a recent staff meeting, which got me thinking.

    As the faculty of law, perhaps the “right” answer would entail something along the lines of: “Our graduates need to be capable of arguing logically, writing...

    surfboard_LBM
  • Getting serious

    The dreaded “No Deal” is becoming ever-more plausible

    With the summer holidays about to end, Brexit negotiations between the European Union and United Kingdom will resume in earnest. The question on everyone’s mind is simple: Will there be a deal or will the United Kingdom leave the European Union...

    brexit_LBM
  • The social function of inventions: let “green patents” save the planet

    We are currently not only in the middle of the 4th Industrial Revolution but also on the midst of global climate change. With the on-going issues surrounding climate change, the world of IP is also evidently affected by it. Companies are fostering innovation by coming up with new technology which is...

    Green patent_The social function of inventions: let “green patents” save the planet
  • Mexican standoff (part 1)

    With the date of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal fast approaching, it is becoming increasingly evident that the British government still has no clear plan, relies on wishful thinking and is running out of viable options. To prevent a complete disaster, a much more targeted salvaging operation might...

    Mexican standoff_blog Prashant Brexit chaos
  • Ensuring compliance with sustainable development provisions in EU FTAs

    The trade and sustainable development chapters included in recent EU FTAs have been criticized for lacking an effective enforcement mechanism, and in particular for the absence of sanctions to ensure compliance. This has been blamed for the poor implementation of their commitments by partner...

    Entrepreneur blog IGIR trade and compliance
  • The presidential refusal to appoint a minister in comparative perspective

    On 27 May 2018 Italy was thrown into a post-election political and constitutional turmoil when Italian President Sergio Mattarella refused to appoint the designated Minister of Economy and Finance, Paolo Savona, proposed by the Five Star Movement and the League. While not the first time that an...

    Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the European Parliament
  • Facebook’s data sharing practices under unfair competition law - longread

    This is a brief analysis of Facebook’s data sharing practices under unfair competition rules in the US and EU. A paper on this topic co-authored by myself and MEPLI research fellow Stephan Mulders will be available shortly, and it will be presented at the Amsterdam Privacy Conference in October 2018...

    Facebook website data sharing - Catalina
  • Reducing administrative burdens through joint action!

    Current developments in the area of cross-country joint audits could reduce administrative burdens and enhance legal certainty. But, what are joint audits? This contribution shortly elaborates on the concept and the current developments of joint audits that could facilitate a cross-country concept...

    teams_on_europe_map.png
  • The Western Balkans enlargement perspective

    With the painful experiences of new Member States breaching the rule of law and democracy principles inside the EU and no tailor-made remedy to punish and enforce EU values, the Commission suggests in its Western Balkans strategy that future accession treaties could provide for such a mechanism to...

    Montenegro-blog West Balkan_Maastricht Law Blogs