In a recent development, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has announced his decision to step down as chairman of News Corp and Fox Corporation, marking the conclusion of his tenure at the helm of the media conglomerate. This paves the way for his eldest son, Lachlan, to assume the role of chairman at both companies.

Drawing parallels with the popular TV series "Succession," it's evident how such transitions can become intricate. Therefore, we've compiled a set of a few of the essential considerations for family-run enterprises, whether they are large multinational corporations or smaller businesses, to keep in mind when contemplating a change in leadership.

If you haven't already, you need to review your standard form contracts - as from 9th November 2023, big changes happen where it may be illegal to have an unfair term in your standard form contracts!

For those that reviewed their contracts a few years ago for unfair terms, this is not enough as the above illegality change and court interpretations since the unfair terms laws first came out have arguably made the approach to these terms very different.

The aftermath of the Federal Court's ruling on the $650 million compensation claim by former Mercedes-Benz dealerships against Mercedes-Benz has resulted in a multi-dimensional examination into the non-renewal of franchise agreements and the introduction of alternative agency contracts. What’s the impact of this landmark case on the Australian franchise industry?

In today’s highly competitive business landscape, customer satisfaction is paramount. A well-structured refund policy that goes beyond mere administrative obligations is a crucial component that can enhance customer experience and safeguard your business's reputation.

In today's interconnected world, data privacy has taken centre stage, making a well-crafted privacy policy more than just a legal requirement – it's a strategic asset that can set your business apart. Due to this, a meticulously designed privacy policy for your business is essential. There are many risks involved if you neglect a privacy policy, but a carefully crafted one can transform your business, attracting customers and enhancing its credibility.

If you're a part of our vibrant $170 billion franchising sector, this information is for you. Minister for Small Business Julie Collins has announced an independent review of the Franchising Code of Conduct, with an opportunity for those within the franchising sector to have their say.

The upcoming Barbie movie has created a frenzy of excitement, captivating audiences of all ages and demographics. The marketing efforts surrounding the film have been exceptional, resulting in numerous collaborations between Barbie and Australian brands. From luxury candles to clothing lines and even roller skates, these collaborations exemplify the power of successful partnerships. In this article, we will explore the significance of well-crafted sponsorship arrangements in Barbie collaborations, highlighting the benefits they offer while providing a few valuable tips for creating fruitful partnerships whether your goal is to work with Barbie or not.

Trademark protection is vital for preserving a brand's distinctiveness and preventing generic use/generalisation. Recent USA legal disputes, such as the ongoing Taco Bell and Taco John's case, serve as a good reminder for businesses to regularly review and reassess how they use and protect their trademarks.

Starting a business with family or friends may seem like a great idea. After all, you already have a strong relationship with these people, know and trust them implicitly. However, it's important to remember that businesses can be complex, personal circumstances can change, and people may have had different views on what each understood was the path/responsibilities. So when disagreements arise things can get very messy quickly with once-strong relationships damaged.

As the end of the financial year (EOFY) approaches, it's crucial for businesses to take time out now to reflect on their performance over the last year, review and ensure compliance with their legal and financial obligations, and to put in place strategies for continued success.

At Advantage Partners Lawyers, we understand the importance of leveraging this period to protect and maximise your business's potential for a successful new financial year. In this article, we provide a few practical insights, strategies, and tips to empower you to take action.

EOFY, or end of financial year, is an important time for businesses to prepare for. Here are some steps you can take to prepare your business for EOFY.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recently announced its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2023-24. While Cartel conduct, anti-competitive conduct, product safety, vulnerable/disadvantaged consumers, and first nation matters will always be a priority, a particular focus is also on consumer and competition issues in essential services, environmental claims and sustainability, scam detection, unfair terms, the digital economy, financial services, and other critical areas.

ChatGPT is a sophisticated artificial intelligence technology (A.I) developed by OpenAI, which is designed to generate human-like responses to natural language queries. While this technology has numerous benefits, it also presents legal risks that companies should be aware of to protect themselves from potential legal liabilities.

You may be in for a nasty surprise!

Given one of the essential assets of many businesses, even more, so those in the franchising or licensing industry, is their business’s trade name and logo/s, it cannot be underestimated how important it is to ensure the relevant name/s and logo/s have been sufficiently legally protected

If you are a business that offers gift cards, or if you have purchased, as a going concern, a business that offered these, you must ensure you are meeting the Australian Consumer Law as it applies to gift cards and vouchers, otherwise you could face thousands of dollars of fines and penalties in addition to reputation damage to your business, one you may have only just bought.

The first in our new, multi-part series about how to use franchising principles to upscale your business!

Q3 has been huge in the recent quarter here at Advantage Partners Lawyers. As we said goodbye to the 21/22 financial year and the cooler weather, we have seen major growth and transformation within ourselves and our clients across July, August and September. From conferences to conventions, franchising purchases and website updates, we have been busy!

There are many different reasons a business may require extra funding, such as improving your goods or services, investing in new tech, diversifying your business, expanding or even franchising. Here are some ways to help gain alternative funding for your business!

We have officially entered Spring in Australia and that means that it's time to - Spring Clean! Here are some steps you can take today to spring clean your business.