The Council of Australian Governments has agreed to implement a new consumer policy framework, the Australian Consumer Law, which is designed to ensure nationally equivalent obligations for businesses and guarantee consumers rights, protections and expectations. This update provides an overview of the new law regulating unfair terms in standard form consumer contracts and implications for… Read More
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Australian companies seeking to do business in China should ensure that they obtain appropriate protection of their intellectual property through trade mark, copyright, design and/or patent registrations. Consideration also has been given to the most appropriate means of entering the Chinese market, including licensing, technology, transfer, distribution agreements, joint ventures, representative offices, or other corporate… Read More
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Franchisors will face disclosure requirements under the comprehensive reforms to the Franchising Code of Conduct announced by Small Business Minister Dr Craig Emerson. The proposed amendments will result in expanded disclosure requirements for the franchisor and will address the following five areas of problematic franchising behaviour considered by an expert panel convened by the government:… Read More
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The Commonwealth Government’s new grants program Commercialisation Australia which came into effect on 1 January 2013, provides new opportunities for innovators, businesses and researches to receive financial assistance to support and protect their intellectual property development and commercialisation. Under the program, companies or individuals can access between $250,000 to $2 million in repayable grants [read… Read More
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