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The extent to which, in the absence of harmonised Community rules, member state competence in respect of direct corporate taxation is limited by the overriding requirements flowing from the fundamental Treaty principles of free movement. Fiscal cohesion – difference in the tax treatment of certain corporate taxpayers based on the place of residence of their parent companies – Community law – restitutionary or compensatory damages in national law notwithstanding that the differential treatment resulted merely in the early payment of tax.

The German government plans to extend an existing “copyright” tax on recording equipment such as videos, to include computers, modems, scanners and CD burners

Thomas Glynn Thomas Glynn, formerly a partner at Battle Fowler, has joined Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen in New York as partner. Glynn says his decision to leave Battle Fowler in June was prompted by its upcoming merger with Paul Hastings. He approached Wolf, Block at a time when they were actively recruiting senior tax advisers for the expansion of the New York office, and was impressed by the "vision of leadership and the character of integrity of the partners". He is particularly attracted by the breadth of work he will be undertaking, especially the challenges of predicting the changing rules of e-commerce. Glynn brings with him expertise across areas as diverse as complex mergers and acquisitions; corporate, municipal and real estate finance; public and private investment funds development; and corporate and real estate acquisitions, joint ventures and dispositions. At Wolf, Block he will concentrate on communications law, in particular the hi-tech aspects of real estate and internet incubator funds.

European law firm Eversheds and Asian firm Khattar Wong have announced a strategic alliance which will allow both firms to take advantage of Singapore's increasingly important position as a financial centre.

Michael Wiley Michael Wiley, partner in charge at Mallesons Stephen Jacques in Sydney, is leaving the firm after 22 years because he no longer enjoys practising tax. Ian Stanley has filled his role as tax partner, while Belinda Gibson is replacing him as partner in charge. Of his 22 years with Mallesons, one of Australia's principal tax firms, Wiley spent 15 as partner. According to Belinda Gibson, he has been instrumental in building up the firm's tax expertise throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and his exceptional technical knowledge and lateral thinking helped attract many major deals and new products. While his reputation remains untarnished, he believes that the increase in legislative changes prevent him from doing his job properly.

Dewey Ballantine's London, New York and Silicon Valley offices worked together to advise Excite@Home on a combination of its non-US assets with those of pan-European broadband provider Chello Broadband NV, worth $6 billion.

Ziff-Davis and CNET have announced a stock-for-stock merger agreement valued at approximately $1.6 billion. The firms' internet sites provide businesses and individuals with information about buying, using and experiencing computers and technology. It is hoped that the merged firm will become a leader in its field. Ziff-Davis will recapitalize and spin off its trade show and conference business, and pay a large cash dividend before the deal is completed.

In the face of globalization and e-transformation, Europe’s top advisers are increasingly adopting a business-first approach to clients’ tax needs. Sharon Cunningham explains why pure tax solutions are no longer appropriate

Ashurst Morris Crisp

Ford cars has acquired Land Rover from German manufacturers BMW for Euro3 billion ($2.7 billion). Richard Ballard and Robert Kent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer provided tax advice for Ford on the deal, while BMW turned to Isla Smith and John Challoner of Norton Rose.