Latest publications
Australian Senate Committee rejects Bill that seeks to prevent the patenting of human genes
In Brief The Australian Senate Committee Report on proposals to amend the Patents Act to prohibit patenting of human genes and other biological materials existing in nature has made a single recommendation “that the Senate should not pass the Bill”. On 26 November 2010, the Senate referred the Patent Amendment (Human Genes…
Can you stand down employees during a period disrupted by protected industrial action?
In Brief Employers seeking to minimise their losses associated with industrial action should take note of a recent decision of Fair Work Australia which clarifies the ability of an employer to stand down employees during such a period. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (“AMWU”) v McCain Foods (Aust) Pty Ltd [2011] FWA 6810 McCain…
Protection of the Olympic Brand — marketers beware
In Brief With the London 2012 Olympic Games fast approaching advertisers and marketers must be careful how they associate themselves with the Olympics and the Olympic brand. The success of an Olympic Games is not only measured by athletic achievements on the track or in the gymnasium. The economic success of…
Gaga goes gaga over Goo Goo
In Brief Last month the controversial and highly successful singer and songwriter Lady Gaga successfully stopped the creators of animated children’s character Lady Goo Goo and the successful children’s phenomenon, Moshi Monsters, from promoting and releasing a song entitled “The Moshi Dance” on iTunes. Lady Gaga enforced her exclusive rights in…
New Zealand High Court says D&O policy may not be used to fund director's defence costs
In Brief On 2 July 2007 New Zealand property development company Bridgecorp Group (Bridgecorp) was placed into receivership, owing investors nearly NZ$500 million. In the aftermath of the collapse, the NZ Securities Commission brought numerous criminal and civil claims against the directors of Bridgecorp in relation to their conduct. Some of the Bridgecorp…
My bags are packed, I’m ready to go. Should I stay or can I go?
In Brief Often separated parents find themselves in a situation where one of them wants to move to another city, state or even country after they separate. This is what’s called relocation in family law. Parents often enter into parenting orders after they separate. All is going well for a time and then…
My bags are packed, I’m ready to go. Should I stay or can I go?
In Brief Often separated parents find themselves in a situation where one of them wants to move to another city, state or even country after they separate. This is what’s called relocation in family law. Parents often enter into parenting orders after they separate. All is going well for a time and then…
My bags are packed, I’m ready to go. Should I stay or can I go?
In Brief Often separated parents find themselves in a situation where one of them wants to move to another city, state or even country after they separate. This is what’s called relocation in family law. Parents often enter into parenting orders after they separate. All is going well for a time and then…
My bags are packed, I’m ready to go. Should I stay or can I go?
In Brief Often separated parents find themselves in a situation where one of them wants to move to another city, state or even country after they separate. This is what’s called relocation in family law. Parents often enter into parenting orders after they separate. All is going well for a time and then…