Stephens Lawyers & Consultants Legal Update: July 2013 The ACCC continues to target the energy sector for possible false or misleading representations made by businesses that relate price rises with the impact of the carbon price. In the first 100 days since the commencement of the carbon price on 1 July 2012 the ACCC received… Read More
Read moreStephens Lawyers and Consultants Trade Mark Legal Update: October 2013 Under Australian law there is no legal requirement to register a trade mark or brand name to use it, however there are many benefits of trade mark registration. Although protection against misrepresentation under Australian Consumer Law1 and passing off is available to both owners of… Read More
Read moreStephens Lawyers & Consultants Legal Update: January 2013 Federal Court rules that the ‘corporate world should know that it is wrong to engage in … deceptive business practices and doing so will incur the risk of large penalties’ Business should be aware that there are significant penalties that attach to offences under the Australian Consumer… Read More
Read moreUnder the Australian Consumer Law, the ACCC has wide enforcement powers to combat ‘green washing’ claims. The ACCC has stepped up prosecutions in this area. This legal update looks at recent ACCC court actions on ‘green washing’ claims relating to false, misleading and deceptive representations [read more].
Read moreUnder the Australian Consumer Reforms, the Trade Practices Act 1974 is being replaced by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Businesses must review and update their trade practices compliance procedures and manuals, existing contracts, warranties/guarantees to ensure compliance with the new regime. The Competition and Consumer Act involves a substantial restructure of the Trade Practices… Read More
Read moreThe Minister for Small Business DR Craig Emerson has announced the creation of an expert panel on franchising and unconscious conduct, as part of the ongoing inquiry into reforming these areas of trade practices law. The proposed reforms aim at providing increased protections for small business from anti-competitive conduct by more powerful and unscrupulous business…. Read More
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