Marcel Willems – författare

The number of insolvencies is increasing by the day, while insolvencies are becoming more and more complex and international. Licences represent an increasingly important part of a company’s assets - be they technology licences, name or trademark licences or licences with regard to text, photo or audiovisual material or software. While insolvency proceedings of licensors or licensees can pose material threats to the prospects of the business concerned, there are still many uncertainties as to the fate of a licence, applicable law, place of jurisdiction in such proceedings and so on.This practical handbook provides an overview of the most relevant legal issues in over 25 of the most important business nations around the globe. It provides guidance to licensors, licensees, insolvency practitioners and their attorneys to promote a better understanding of the insolvency mechanisms in these countries and the effect that such proceedings may have upon licence agreements with an insolvent entity.Whether you are an IP lawyer in private practice, an insolvency practitioner or general counsel in an international business, this commercially focused guide will provide you with practical insight into the relevant legal issues.

Suppliers of goods tend to think that they have strong rights if they retain ownership of delivered goods until the purchase price has been fully paid, because disputes involving non-payment can supposedly be solved fairly easily by claiming payment in court or repossessing the goods. However, things may get difficult for the supplier if a purchaser is in possession of the goods but then becomes insolvent.Over the past decade the number of insolvencies has increased dramatically, and their complexity has also increased. Particularly when foreign jurisdictions come into play, it may turn out that a supplier’s rights are weaker than it thought. For instance, has the supplier really retained title to the goods, or can the liquidator dispose of them and take the money? Or if the supplier believes it has sound retention of title in its home country, does that still apply when goods are delivered to a purchaser abroad? And when the retention of title is valid, how can the supplier actually repossess goods if the purchaser defaults and is uncooperative?Such questions need answers, and this publication provides a practical overview of the most relevant legal issues concerning retention of title in more than 30 of the most important business nations globally. It provides guidance to manufacturers and suppliers of goods, insolvency practitioners and their attorneys for promoting a better understanding of retention of title and the effects of insolvency. So whether you are a lawyer, insolvency practitioner or general counsel in an international business, this commercially focused guide will provide practical insight into the relevant legal issues.

'Cash is king’ – and, presumably, will remain king for a long time to come. This viewpoint is even more relevant since the 2008 international financial crisis. Banks are still hesitant to provide credit lines to companies, whether national or cross-border. High interest rates are charged on debt but hardly any interest is paid on credit amounts. More than ever before, companies need to limit both debit and credit amounts. Pooling cash within a corporate group or among a number of companies enables the best use of the funds available at as little cost as possible, thus strengthening the financial position of the companies involved. Cash pooling is thereby a means of reducing the risk of insolvency during difficult economic times.The first edition of this book, published in 2012, was very well received. Since then, there have been a number of reasons to update the information it contains: new case law, new national legislation and recent EU initiatives. Furthermore, chapters on Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been added to the already impressive number of jurisdictions covered.This title, published in association with the International Bar Association, draws together leading practitioners from a wide range of countries, who together provide detailed analysis on the provisions in their jurisdiction for cash pooling and insolvency. Each chapter follows the same template for ease of reference; topics featured include specific legal requirements from various perspectives, the liability of company directors, banking requirements, regulatory requirements and tax.This practical handbook is an essential guide for any insolvency professional, in-house counsel or adviser in banking and finance.