All cheeses that are close to our hearts (and taste buds) and have been announced as geographical indications that the EU is seeking to protect under the terms of a new free trade agreement with Australia (EUFTA).
Social media influencers have become a key weapon in the armoury of advertisers and can be successfully used to drive consumer engagement with a product offering. However, are we entering a ‘post-influencer age’? Only recently, the Australian Federal Government announced that they would no longer use influencer marketing for any government department campaigns after it …
In honour of NAIDOC Week 2019 (7 – 14 July), this post considers recent coverage of IP rights surrounding the Aboriginal flag. National flags and symbols are useful marketing tools that are often used by businesses to tap into the national consciousness or demonstrate certain values or attributes of a product offering. However, recent media …
The fourth edition of DLA Piper’s popular Prize Promotions Around the World online guide is now available. The guide has been fully updated and also includes four new jurisdictions, to bring the total coverage to 39 jurisdictions. Prize promotions (including promotional sweepstakes and skill competitions) remain a hugely popular marketing tool used globally by organisations …
Prize Promotions Around the World: Launch of new edition Read More »
The fast-paced retail environment poses a high risk for businesses to make false, misleading or deceptive representations about products and consumer rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). With the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) having the power to impose considerable pecuniary penalties, businesses should be aware of their obligations under the ACL and …
Back to school: Consumer rights training required Read More »
You’ve seen them before in magazines, newspapers and when you walk into stores, “Tell us in 25 words or less why you love our product” and “leave your details for your chance to go into a draw to win a holiday!” Trade prize promotions are competitions or lotteries run by businesses to help increase sales …
Trade prize promotions: You’ve got to be in it to win it! Read More »
…Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of poor searchability, Or to take arms against a sea of competitors (with SEO and Adwords) As online visibility becomes essential for connecting with consumers, businesses are increasingly investing in measures to improve traffic on their websites. Some of these include acquiring strategic …
Online marketing and trade marks: To infringe, or not to infringe? Read More »
Last week, the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) announced its annual compliance and enforcement priorities for 2019. The list included a number of priorities that are particularly relevant and important for retail and consumer-facing businesses, including: consumer guarantees, particularly in relation to high value white goods and electrical goods; customer loyalty schemes; advertising practices …
ACCC update: 2019 compliance and enforcement priorities announced Read More »
Online ratings and reviews are perceived as a low cost, transparent and real-time way for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and can therefore be highly influential. Over the past year, there have been a number of enforcement actions successfully brought by the ACCC for businesses manipulating reviews or ratings that appear on their website, …
Don’t believe the hype: Online ratings and reviews under the microscope Read More »
A private island in the Bahamas, an ‘immersive’ music festival experience, return flights on a private jet, luxury eco-friendly villas, world-class gourmet food and partying with supermodels… These were just a few of the representations that organisers made to entice approximately 5,000 ticket holders to attend the Fyre Festival in 2017. This high profile (and …
When a Fyre starts to burn: A cautionary tale in marketing Read More »
From 8 June 2019, businesses supplying services or the supply of goods and services together to consumers must include new mandatory text in any warranty issued to consumers against defects in their products. The amendments to the Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010 (Cth) now equip consumers with the same level of protection from warranties against …
It’s in the warranty: New mandatory wordings introduced Read More »
As online channels become an increasingly important part of retail businesses, organisations are increasingly collecting customer data in the course of trade. This information is rich with insights that can be used by organisations to track consumption patterns, effectively target their advertising to particular consumers or particular groups of consumers and directly contact consumers. With significant …
In late 2018, the Federal Court found that imported fish oil and Vitamin D encapsulated in Australia could not be permissibly labelled as ‘Made in Australia’. These proceedings come as a timely reminder for businesses to ensure that any representations made about a product’s country of origin are clear, accurate, can be substantiated and meet …
Product labeling update: Country of origin claims Read More »
There’s always that one present under the tree. It doesn’t quite fit right or maybe doesn’t work once plugged in…Remember to not only remain calm, but both consumers and retailers should also ensure that they are fully aware of their rights and obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). According to the ACCC website, the …
Returning faulty gifts: New year, new product returns? Read More »
In a world of exponential technological growth, consumers make purchasing decisions across an array of media platforms. When developing new methods of delivering a personalised and convenient consumer experience across these platforms, businesses should therefore factor in the risks involved including the application of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). In this update, we take a look …
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