The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has reported a noticeable increase in calls to its helpline from businesses that inadvertently included on their websites images that are protected by copyright and subsequently received demands for payment from the copyright…
When an insulation manufacturer created a road show to demonstrate its products in comparison with those of a competitor, there was always likely to be trouble. The comparison consisted of a series of fire tests, which were intended to…
In a recent case, firms which used trade marks to which they were not entitled felt the wrath of the court. The case concerned the National Guild of Removers & Storers (NGRS), a trade association for businesses in the…
When considering legal action regarding material which is on the Internet, often one of the most difficult questions one has to face is that of where the material is ‘made available’. Since a website can be physically situated anywhere, where…
The Information Commissioner has sent a strong message to businesses by imposing the first monetary penalties on two organisations for serious breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998. The fines were imposed despite both organisations voluntarily notifying the Commissioner…
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a consultation on a new statutory code of practice on the sharing of personal data. The draft code sets out a model of good practice for public, private and third sector organisations,…
A recent trade mark case confirms that first impressions matter. It dealt with a dispute over a trade mark application made by a firm which had a similar name to another and which was in a similar line of…
This checklist sets out the practical steps that will help your business protect, use and exploit any brands that it owns. What is a brand? A strong brand helps distinguish your products from your competitors’. It adds value to your…
MCE Insurance Wins Rights to Domain Name MCE Insurance has won a legal battle to have a domain name registered in Australia, transferred to them. MCE have been in business since 1975, they have used the MCE Insurance brand name…
Copyright - Get it Right First Time Yet another case highlights the need to make the ownership of intellectual property (IP) clear when negotiating contracts where the IP is in point. In the case concerned, a company was retained…
