Articles

We’ve all heard about domain name squatters – people that register domain names covering well known brands and then sitting on the registration hoping that they’ll be able to sell the URL for lots of cash to the true owner. So is trade mark squatting a thing? What is a trade mark? Trade marks can […]

Protecting goodwill is vital for any business. Read about registering trade marks when you are a sole trader. In short yes! You can register a trade mark as a sole trader. In Australia, to register a trade mark you can be an individual or a company. If you operate your business as a sole trader, you

Find out about registering a trademark as a company here. A trade mark is a brand and is used to differentiate your products or services from other products or services. Well-known trade marks include things like Coke, the Nike swoosh, the golden arches of McDonalds, the Qantas kangaroo and even the parrot placed on your

Introduction Personal names can be trade marked in Australia in some circumstances. Join the likes of Kylie Minogue, Beyonce, Alex Perry, Alexander McQueen, Kimmy K and find out what you need to do. Brands which include personal names – the so-called eponymous brands – are becoming more and more common. Naming a brand after an

As you know, the latest round of Health Orders have closed construction sites in the Greater Sydney Area. Importantly, there are exemptions, which allow work: necessary to deal with environmental risks, secure the site or maintain critical equipment; to receive deliveries of supplies that would otherwise deteriorate; to maintain public utilities, including public areas such

Introduction Global superstar Britney Spears has called for an end to the “abusive” management of her business and personal affairs, telling a Los Angeles court last week “I want my life back!” For many years the #FreeBritney campaign has been calling for the singer to regain autonomy over her affairs.  There was renewed public focus

Can you make your employees get the Covid-19 vaccine? What seems like a simple question (at least to AstraZeneca and Pfizer!) is not as straightforward as some would like.  The simple answer is that it depends on what type of business you have.  If it is mandated by law or if you operate in an

There’s been an increase in cyber-criminals impersonating businesses and suppliers, accessing emails, intercepting invoices, changing bank account details and taking payment. The losses being experienced by businesses are significant – they range in value but are generally high value transfers that are being targeted by the fraudsters.   Recently, we’ve seen reports of the re-direction

The annual increases to Australia’s compulsory superannuation scheme start on 1 July 2021, with the first increase to take the amount employers need to pay on behalf of their employees from 9.5% to 10% of an employee’s salary.  This will move up each year to 12% over five years. While this sounds like good news

Introduction Health information is given a higher level of privacy protection than other personal information. It includes information collected in connection with the provision of a health service, as well as information or opinions about the health or disability of an individual and a patient’s wishes about future healthcare. In short, think Secret Squirrel. Protecting