News 2017.

Winners are grinners

Competitions, lotteries, sweepstakes and other trade promotions are winners for generating hype and promoting an organisation’s brand. Who doesn’t love ‘free stuff’? However, organisations must always ensure they comply with ...

Copy-right or copy-wrong?

In an age where pirates download Game of Thrones, monkeys take selfies and almost every other month a music artist is accused of ‘ripping off’ a Marvin Gaye song, we hear the word ‘copyright’ thrown around a lot. But what does ...

Don’t forget my name

Anyone who has ever had to brand something knows how hard it is to come up with a name. Establishing recognition for your brand can be even harder. And most difficult – making sure it isn’t forgotten. Registering a trade mark ...

Does early termination catch the penal worm?

Most of us have tried to worm our way out of a phone contract in pursuit of the latest iPhone – only to find ourselves paying off an expensive 24-month fixed contract. Contracts for services (such as those related to building a ...

A lease, or not a lease: that is the question

‘Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month’ … Airbnb is an online marketplace that lists short-term accommodation around the world. But is Airbnb actually legal in Victoria? As ...

Bespoke: trade mark law experts – GLE Handbook 2017

Lights, camera….. lawsuit?

Street photos, social media photos, brand photos, stock photos. You may have found these online, purchased a right to use them, taken them yourself or arranged to have them taken. The photographer and the subjects should be pleased ...

Handshake agreements?

We all love a handshake agreement. Sometimes, even a hug. But, dependable relationships can become a source of constant headaches and nuisance when things turn sour. With the benefit of hindsight, you may wish you were better prepared ...

Hear what happened in Canberra? No, not that

All eyes have been on the Australian Prime Minister this month, but you may have missed the news that Parliament has passed consumer protection laws. These laws expose Australian businesses to significant risk. The Treasury Laws ...

#socialmediapolicies

Having a Social Media Policy for the workplace is an essential safeguard for all employers in the social media age. It is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. But did you know that simply implementing a Social Media Policy ...