Consumer Guarantees and Warranties: Is Your Business Compliant – Information Sheet (November 2018 – Updated May 2019)

Is Your Business Compliant? The Australian Consumer Law ( “ACL”) [i] provides consumers with rights and remedies against suppliers(including on-line retailers) and manufacturers of goods or services acquired by them that do not comply with consumer guarantees.  The consumer guarantees provided under the Australian Consumer Law cannot be excluded, modified or restricted and are in… Read More

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Defamation of a Business – Maintaining a strong business reputation

Stephens Lawyers & Consultants – Information Sheet (March 2020) A strong business reputation, is crucial in today’s online and social media environment. Maintaining a good on-line business reputation assists a business in: Maintaining and attracting new customers and business opportunities, Retaining staff and attracting new staff, Increasing market share and growing the business network, Maintaining… Read More

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Franchising in Australia – October 2018

Franchising is one of the fastest growing business sectors in Australia. There are over 1120 franchise systems operating in Australia, with the number of franchisees estimated to be 79,000 [1]. The United States has had a strong influence on the development of Australia’s franchise industry with major U.S franchisors including KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut establishing… Read More

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Information Sheet: Dealership, Distribution, Re-seller and IP Licence Agreements & the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct (October 2018)

The Australian courts have given a very broad interpretation of the definition of “franchise agreement” in the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct resulting in many dealership or reseller agreements, distribution agreements, trade mark licenses and IP license agreements being franchise agreements in Australia and subject to compliance with the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct. These… Read More

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Compensation for Patent Infringement in Australia – 2017

  Katarina Klaric, Principal, Stephens Lawyers & Consultants Australian courts will award substantial damages for patent infringement where the amount claimed by the patentee can be substantiated by evidence of loss suffered. A patentee can elect to either claim damages or an account of profits.[i] Businesses seeking to launch new products into the Australian market… Read More

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