Member News

UK hands in formal Brexit notification

As announced, UK Prime Minister Theresa May today lodged with the EU Council a notification under Article 50(2) EU Treaty, i.e. the UK's formal notification of its intention to withdraw from the EU. This notification triggers a two-year period for negotiations between the UK and the rest of the EU which should culminate in a withdrawal agreement. Failing such an agreement, the UK will leave the EU by operation of law after the two years, unless that period is...

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Member News

DOJ Appeals Injunction of President’s New Executive Order Banning Nationals from Certain Countries

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has appealed one of the two federal court injunctions issued in response to President Trump's revised travel ban executive order. This executive order, Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States (the “Order”), was to take effect on March 16, 2017.  The implications of the Order are described here. President Trump issued this revised order on March 6 after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit enjoined the initial executive...

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Chapter News

Budgets MEPs Back Flexibility: €6bn more for jobs, growth and tackling migration

Plans to make it easier to move money around within the EU’s long-run budget, to help tackle urgent challenges such as the migration crisis, strengthening security, boosting growth and creating jobs, were backed by the Budgets Committee on Monday. Parliament has long fought for greater flexibility within the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF), which would apply for the remainder of the 2014-2020 MFF. “Parliament demanded this revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework because it considered it highly necessary due to a...

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Chapter News

ECB Welcomes Dialogue with NGOs on Transparency

Non-governmental organisation commends ECB for steps taken to enhance transparency ECB confirms that it maintains balanced dialogue with all stakeholders ECB committed to strengthening good governance framework and integrity mechanisms The European Central Bank (ECB) today stressed its commitment to open dialogue with a broad range of stakeholders, as a non-governmental organisation published a report on the central bank. While emphasising that it is directly accountable to the European Parliament (EP), the ECB facilitated a project by Transparency International...

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Chapter News

The Rome Declaration: Declaration of the leaders of 27 member states and of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission

We, the Leaders of 27 Member States and of EU institutions, take pride in the achievements of the European Union: the construction of European unity is a bold, far-sighted endeavor. Sixty years ago, recovering from the tragedy of two world wars, we decided to bond together and rebuild our continent from its ashes. We have built a unique Union with common institutions and strong values, a community of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, a major...

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Chapter News

The Treaties of Rome at 60: Commission recalls Europe’s achievements and leads discussion on the future at 27

On 25 March, EU leaders will come together in Rome to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, which were signed on this day in 1957.Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, will participate in the Rome Summit, where a number of events are being organised to mark the occasion and to reflect on Europe's common future. The Treaties of Rome – signed by the six founding Member States – paved the way for the European Union that we know today:...

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Member News

Supreme Court Rules on New Separability Test for Copyrights on Designs

Summary: On March 22, 2017, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Star Athletica, LLC v. Varsity Brands, Inc., No. 15-866.  In a 6-2 decision, the Court held that decorative elements of a cheerleader’s outfit were separable from the functionality of the underlying garment and thus eligible for protection under copyright law.  Justice Thomas wrote the majority opinion, with Justice Ginsburg concurring in the outcome, and Justices Breyer and Kennedy dissenting.  Specifically, the Supreme Court held that “a feature incorporated...

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Chapter News

Fintech—A Brave New World for the Financial Sector?

From smartphones to cloud computing, technology is rapidly changing virtually every facet of society, including communications, business and government. The financial world is no exception. As a result, the financial world stands at a critical juncture. Yes, the widespread adoption of new technologies, such as blockchain-based systems, offers many potential benefits. But it also gives rise to new risks, including risks to financial stability. That causes challenges for financial regulators, a subject I addressed at the 2017 World Government Summit...

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Chapter News

Better products and more choice for European consumers

The Commission presented an Action Plan setting out ways to provide consumers with greater choice and better access to financial services across the EU. President Juncker's Commission has committed to developing a deeper and fairer Single Market, including through digital means. In terms of financial services, this means enhancing competition and improving choice so that consumers can enjoy lower prices and better quality, regardless of whether or not they shop abroad for financial services such as bank accounts, car...

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Chapter News, New York Related News

Four big updates from NYC

I write with four great updates from New York City.  If any of these catch your interest, feel free to follow up with me, and I will be happy to connect you with the right people! Adding to the eighteen existing City-supported incubators, New York City announced a number of new spaces that will come online in the near future: A $136 million “Made in New York” campus at Bush Terminal in Brooklyn that will be a modern hub...

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