Your commercial news round-up: Oatly v PureOaty, PwC boost jobs, Australia’s post-Brexit deal, electric cars

This week big four audit firm PwC has revealed that it will boost its headcount, the Oatly trademark dispute continues and the government has announced a new trade deal, among other things. Read LCN’s round-up below for some updates to keep you in the loop. If you’re interested in a story, delve into it further to start developing your commercial awareness.

• Swedish company Oatly remains in battle with Cambridgeshire farm Glebe Farm Foods over an alleged trademark infringement, according to the Vegconomist. Oatly’s legal team have sought a High Court injunction to stop Glebe Farm Foods from selling PureOaty products after claiming it is too similar to their trademark. However, PureOaty denies such allegations, including the claim that their intention was to “benefit from the huge power of attraction and reputation of Oatly’s branding”. Those who may be surprised that milk could be such a litigious subject should cast their minds back to the trademark row over chocolate, between Nestle and Kitkat. A verdict on the Oatly case is expected in July.
   
• The Big Four audit firm, PwC, is expected to create more than 700 jobs at the £40 million Belfast technology centre, according to the BBC. Northern Ireland economy minister, states the significant investment “will generate approximately £25 million in additional salaries for our economy.” The investment promises to create a “research and engineering centre with technology and operational jobs” over the next five years.
   
• The Law Society reports that the first major trade deal negotiated from scratch by the government since we left the EU will open doors for the legal profession. British cars and confectionery will be cheaper to sell in the tariff-free agreement, boosting industries that employ 3.5 million people in the UK. This deal also offers UK lawyers the opportunity to practise in Australia without requalifying. This agreement will solidify the relationship between the countries, increase mobility options as well as facilitate the recognition of the UK’s professional qualifications across many sectors. However, there are still “practical barriers that prevent the realisation of the full benefit of trade in legal services between our countries,” the Law Society warned. These hurdles increase clients’ costs and limit worldwide opportunities for domestic lawyers, particularly those without the backing of larger organisations. The Law Society hopes to deepen its discussions with the Law Council of Australia
   
• The electric car market grows rapidly due to “increasingly stringent emission limits” but the UK remains in the slow lane. According to the BBC, the Influential green group Transport and Environment (T&E) is worried about the lack of investment by UK manufactures because “the UK will be almost wholly reliant on electric vehicles imported from abroad.” Germany is currently the dominant car producer in Europe and e-mobility has easily become a mainstream feature in German society. The T&E report “concludes that by 2030, battery-powered electric cars will account for 48% of production across the 27 countries of the EU and the UK. Plug-in hybrids will make up 11%.” It is unclear whether the UK’s car industry will continue to wither away, but what is clear is the UK must prepare for an EV revolution.

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