Law

Why do patents have only limited territorial effect? Can and should a foreign patent produce legal effects domestically? Michael Cremer examines various conflict-of-laws approaches that could facilitate cross-border patent protection.

Democracy requires transparency from those who hold power. In a party-based democracy, this principle must also apply to the activities of political parties. At the same time, European data protection law establishes confidentiality as the default. Conflicts are therefore inevitable. Fabian M. Müller explores ways of resolving these tensions.

Markus C. Kerber examines the ECB's monetary policy, identifying what he regards as ultra vires acts exceeding the powers conferred by the TFEU. He also critically analyzes the emergence of euro-rescue funds which, together with the ECB, have created an increasingly autonomous financial governance structure.

The freedom-based dimension of the EU fundamental freedoms is widely recognized. However, it remains unclear which measures fall within its scope. Noah Zimmermann develops a concrete freedom-based concept of restriction and demonstrates its practical applicability.