Confidential Information and Trade Secrets – How are they protected in Australia?

Confidential information/trade secrets are valuable intellectual property assets of many businesses and organisations. R & D organisations may lose their rights to seek patent protection of resulting inventions where publication or disclosure of the invention occurs prior to patent filing. This article provides an overview of the legal framework for the protection of confidential information/trade secrets in Australia and provides guidance on strategies for their protection.

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Consumer Law Update – Three Major Risk Areas for Businesses – July 2025

In this Legal Update, Stephens Lawyers & Consultants looks at three (3) major risk areas faced by businesses for breach of the Australian Consumer Law which arise out of the ACCC’s 2025-26 compliance and enforcement priorities and offers guidance on some steps that businesses can consider implementing to minimise risk of non-compliance with the Australian Consumer Law.

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Competition Law and the Metaverse – Australia

Australia’s competition law is complex.  Metaverse platforms that are registered as a business, company or foreign entity in Australia or are carrying on business within Australia will have to comply with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth). Competition law risk assessments should be undertaken before doing business in Australia to ensure compliance with the law and minimise the risk of significant penalties.

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Protecting your IP on the Metaverse – Australia

To identify the relevant intellectual property laws applicable for the protection of a metaverse platform in Australia you need to first ascertain all elements that comprise the metaverse platform, all content generated within the metaverse, and how these are created or generated and by whom. This article offers insight and preliminary guidance on this complex and evolving area of the law.

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