Employment contracts can be a useful tool for some businesses, but aren’t always necessary – Martin Carrick takes us through what is involved with such agreements, for who and when they’re relevant, and new considerations under WorkChoices Employers sometimes ask whether it’s necessary to have a written employment contract with each employee. More recently, this […]
Once your business has outgrown its home or serviced office, the choice to lease or buy a commercial property will be crucial. Rebecca Spicer weighs the options, taking into account financial and practical considerations. Whether you’re starting out or looking to relocate, the decision to buy or lease commercial property in the area you’ve chosen […]
In March this year, WorkChoices celebrated its first birthday. Matthew Hourn takes us through some of the biggest controversies to date, and what to expect in the future. WorkChoices has been described as the most comprehensive and significant change to Industrial Relations in Australia for almost 100 years. The new legislation is supported by some […]
How do you protect your business from the almost endless list of disputes that can land you in court and can destroy your business? Matthew Hourn reports. In today’s litigious society, for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) even the smallest disputes, whether with competitors or consumers, can be potentially fatal to your business. As an […]
Intellectual property is the core of many businesses these days. But what exactly is IP, and how can you identify, protect, and maximise its value? Tony Ward looks at these issues and the crucial aspect of timing—when it is too late or too early to protect intellectual property. Intellectual property (IP) is an umbrella term […]
Employee share ownership plans are no longer reserved just for large, publicly listed companies. As Rebecca Spicer discovers, they can be a useful tool for any business wanting to attract, retain and motivate staff. It’s no secret that the skills shortage is crippling many industries. And so, tools and strategies that attract and keep key […]
How do you protect your intellectual property (I.P.) overseas, particularly in those countries with no formal protection systems? Catherine Logan leads us through the maze of what is covered where, what is not, where you can find help to choose the best approach when exporting, and who can help when your I.P. is infringed in […]
It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of merging, selling or acquiring a business. But, as Carlo Pasqualini warns, if you don’t do your homework before mergers and acquisitions you probably won’t realise expectations and the deal might even be disastrous. Every day it seems there’s a new corporate takeover with media headlines […]
All the links you're likely to need when considering your legal obligations IP Australia IP Australia provides and administers intellectual property rights within Australia. The agency regulates patents, trade marks, designs, plant breeder’s rights and copyrights and provides a wealth of information on the importance of intellectual property for your business. Lawlink New South Wales […]
What is the perfect structure for your business? Peter Bembrick outlines the advantages and disadvantages for each of the main types of business structure. Identifying the best structure for your business from the start can help avoid the cost and difficulties of changing it later. There are a number of considerations when deciding on the […]
