Law

Can blockchain technology create a balanced secondary market for digital goods and thus enable the application of copyright exhaustion in the digital environment? Zoi Michalopoulou develops criteria for the formation of a technical standard for the resale of digital copies of works.

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.

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.

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.