The expansion of statutory unconscionable conduct risk in commercial transactions
Where a statute proscribes unconscionable conduct in business, a company can be liable whether or not the person to whom the allegedly unconscionable conduct is directed is vulnerable or at a special disadvantage. In ACCC v Quantum Housing Group Pty Ltd, handed down on 19 March 2021, the Full Federal Court placed the focus in […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | Medicines dispensing emergency measures extended
At the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government introduced a range of measures to take the pressure off Australia’s health care system, such as the introduction of TeleHealth and E-Prescribing. Another measure was to extend the Continued Dispensing rules to enable pharmacists to supply medicines without prescription to certain patients. These emergency measures […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | TGA issues guidance for advertising of COVID-19 vaccines to Australian public
The roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia this week brings both excitement and questions about how healthcare services may advertise or promote the vaccines to the general public. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued guidance to enable vaccine providers, and the broader healthcare sector, to confidently navigate a highly regulated environment, whilst balancing […]
ReadmoreACCC seeks ban on unfair trading practices
On 10 December 2020 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC) released its Perishable Agricultural Goods Inquiry Report (the Report). Purpose of the inquiry The ACCC’s inquiry into markets for the supply of perishable agricultural goods was conducted at the direction of the Commonwealth Treasurer, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP. The ACCC conducted a […]
ReadmoreKraft v Bega – Key intellectual property and contractual takeaways for transactions
Since our coverage of the Kraft vs. Bega battle in our September 2019 edition of FMCG Express, the battle between food giants Bega and Kraft made it all the way to the High Court of Australia! The High Court recently refused special leave to appeal by Kraft, ultimately ruling in favour of Bega and upholding […]
ReadmoreTrade Promotions Update | Trans-Tasman Trade Promotions
Running a trade promotion in both Australia and New Zealand is certainly possible, but there are some key points to consider. Read the full article below, authored in partnership with Auckland based law firm Hudson Gavin Martin. Authored by: David Smith, Partner Jessica Bell, Paralegal Cassandra Cox, Paralegal Jade Lamb, Paralegal Jason Rudkin-Binks, Partner, […]
ReadmoreHigh Court adopts Exhaustion Doctrine for patent products, jettisoning the ‘implied licence doctrine’ in Australia
On 12 November 2020 the High Court delivered its much anticipated decision in Calidad Pty Ltd v Seiko Epson Corporation [2020] HCA (Calidad v Seiko). This decision is about patent rights and the extent to which they apply following the first sale of patented goods to a purchaser. When a patented product is first sold, […]
ReadmoreThe penalty for a cause marketing misstep: Oscar Wylee update
The market for socially-conscious consumers who are looking to use their buying power ethically and in support of socially responsible causes is growing rapidly. This presents opportunities for businesses to engage with their customers in new ways. However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is well aware and is looking closely at potentially misleading […]
ReadmoreFMCG Express | October Edition
2020 continues to be an interesting year with COVID-19 still impacting our lives and businesses, although we are cautiously optimistic that we may be turning a corner here in Australia. In this edition of FMCG Express, we bring you some useful COVID-19 reading as we grapple with the ongoing effects of the pandemic and look […]
ReadmoreHealthEngine decision: understanding the overlap between privacy and consumer laws
We have seen a recent overseas trend by EU and US based competition regulators to address privacy related matters within a broader competition context. This is not something we have seen occurring in Australia to any great extent although the recent introduction of the Consumer Data Right has seen both the Office of the Australian […]
ReadmoreCOVID-19 | ASIC publishes expectations of retail lenders when loan repayment deferrals end
On 13 August 2020, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) issued letters to lenders, notifying them of ASIC’s expectations once the mortgage deferral period expires next month. Lenders had offered the six month mortgage repayment deferral period to their customers, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which debt is estimated to be worth billions […]
ReadmoreACCC’s scrutiny of APRA’s licence fees and royalties is music to some businesses’ ears
Everybody will be familiar with hearing music playing in the background in shops, bars, cafes and restaurants or on the radio and TV. Unless there are alternative licensing arrangements in place, these businesses are required to obtain and pay for a licence from Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) to do so. The fees from these […]
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