The news two days ago reported that an American scientist working in Germany got into some legal bother, all because he was apparently misusing his 'Dr' title! The law behind this incident dates back to the 1930s, when a law stipulates that the use of the Dr title was authorised only if the relevant degree was awarded by an 'approved' university. Originally only German universities were in the approved list, but in 2001 the list was expanded to cover other EU states. Holders of degrees from other countries are allowed to use the title only after submitting their qualifications for review by the appropriate authority. The correct use of titles is no small matter in Germany; even on my rental contract, the landlord addressed himself as 'Dipl. Ing.' (more or less equivalent to Masters in Engineering). The misuse of titles is liable to prosecution and a jail sentence. I can appreciate that the original purpose of the law is to prevent people from engaging in inappr