Part A

Beachcoffee, a limited company with a chain of cafes in the high street runs into

financial difficulties and is unable to honour some of its suppliers' bills. Beachcoffee's

bank, InterestBank, knowing of the situation, would like to ask for repayment of its

outstanding loans (which benefit from a pledge on the company's premises and also a

floating charge) with Beachcoffee. Beachcoffee asks you for advice regarding the

different options from a legal perspective to deal with such financial difficulties

including advantages and disadvantages of each.

Part B

Geek is a UK technology company which is developing a modular sensor which allows users to control temperature, electricity and switch on/off devices at home remotely. Having had one of its patents approved by the European Patent Office, a competitor in Italy, set up under the name of Seek develops a similar remote modular sensor. Geek believes that Seek is infringing its intellectual property rights both regarding its brand name and the technical aspects of the product. Advise Geek as to the merits of its case and the consequences of carrying out a successful action.