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Legal

Trademarks: how risque is too risky?

An Australian snack maker marketing its Nucking Futs product to pubs and nightclubs across the Tasman, is unlikely to struggle with registering its trademark in New Zealand – but trademarks that tread a fine moral line remain high risk here. Intellectual property expert Theodore Ducas elaborates.
January 30th, 2012 by Theodore Doucas

Beestings: Own and manage your unique identity

There can be more to a job than just hiring a contractor to do it – like creating a brand for you - and ticking it off your list. This week’s guaranteed-under-two-minute-read has tips and tricks to make sure you own and manage your own unique identity in a way that benefits your business as well as your customers.
December 6th, 2011 by Bizbuzz Team

Who owns your brand? (Are you sure?)

Commissioning and paying for a brand design does not mean ownership. If a graphic designer has created your brand, it may well not be yours, warns Theodore Doucas.
November 30th, 2011 by Theodore Doucas

Protecting your Intellectual Property

Do you have some great business ideas you don't want anyone to steal? What about your logo, or your brand? And is your marketing material protected by copyright? Here are some practical pointers on protecting your intellectual property
October 20th, 2011 by Heather Douglas

Do you know what your managers are signing you up for ?

A general manager of a company who is not a director may still have authority to sign a contract and bind the company to perform a contract so companies must ensure they are aware of what their managers are doing and what contracts they are signing states Allister Doo.
August 19th, 2011 by Allister Doo

RWC: Hiring staff? Don't get yourself into hot water

If you are expecting to see a surge in business with the Rugby World Cup, you might be looking at bringing on extra help or having staff work extra hours to see you through. The Department of Labour has some helpful advice to make sure you don't get into trouble over employment regulations.
August 10th, 2011 by Department Labour

Beestings: Keep growing the business

No business can grow without attracting new clients – but how do you bring keep bringing them in? In this week’s guaranteed under-two-minute-read we’ve got some ideas, as well as some tips and tools to enhance your profitability.
July 27th, 2011 by Bizbuzz Team

Unjust decision by IPONZ favouring DB Breweries highlights urgent need to review appeal mechanisms

New Zealand urgently needs an Australian type mechanism for the Commissioner of Trade Marks to initiate court action when patently unjust and misguided decisions are made by the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand -- as in its recent decision to uphold DB Breweries’ trademark of the term ‘Radler’.
July 21st, 2011 by Theodore Doucas
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The best way to protect Kiwi taonga is not to protect them

The best way for New Zealanders to protect our stuff, our taonga – things that help define our identity – may be to leave them alone in the public domain.
July 4th, 2011 by Theodore Doucas
1 Comment

Kiwis finding little trademark protection on social media sites

When it comes to trademark protection on social media sites like Facebook, many New Zealand companies are finding there are only the quick, and the dead. Theodore Doucas explains how your trademark could be at riisk.
May 25th, 2011 by Theodore Doucas

What's in a name?

The name you choose for your business is important - and it's not always easy to pick, or protect. Thoedore Doucas shares three tips.
April 25th, 2011 by Theodore Doucas

Boundaries and standards: why you need them and how to set them

The time to make sure you don't run into problems with employees not behaving the way you want them to, is before the trouble starts. Michael Smyth explains what you need in place to make managing employee behaviour much easier and more effective.
April 19th, 2011 by Michael Smyth

Changes to the Employment Relations and Holidays Act come into effect tomorrow

If you are employing staff, or thinking of doing so, you need to be aware of changes in employment law which will affect your business. The Department of Labour outlines what you need to know.
March 31st, 2011 by Department Labour

Legal relief under Loan Agreements for Earthquake victims

The Christchurch Earthquake has had a devastating effect on the citizens of Christchurch. One area where the law might help is the ‘unforeseen hardship” provisions that may apply to provide some relief under loan agreements and other credit contracts states Allister Doo.
February 28th, 2011 by Allister Doo

Someone tell me, what actually is a trademark?

We all think we know what a brand or trademark is. We live with them everyday. We’re bombarded every time we open a magazine, or turn on the television. However, do you actually know what a trademark is, or what it’s supposed to do?
November 1st, 2010 by Antonia (Toni) Sims

RWC opportunities and warnings

The Rugby World Cup will bring many business opportunities but in seeking to take advantage of those opportunities you will need to be careful not to infringe rules around the use of Rugby World Cup terms, as discussed by Allister Doo.
October 8th, 2010 by Allister Doo

When a Memorandum of Understanding is better than a legal agreement

It's important to get the details of a deal tied up in a legal agreement - but if that's going to be a deal-killer before you've even nutted out the finer points, Michael Smyth has a solution.
October 1st, 2010 by Michael Smyth

Getting ready for investors: considerations for inventors and small business

Many inventors become so excited about their innovations that they enthusiastically rush forward without considering factors affecting successful commercialisation. Whether you intend to sell your idea to someone else, or seek an investor to assist in commercialising your innovation, there are some things you should and shouldn’t do.
September 14th, 2010 by Antonia (Toni) Sims

Christchurch earthquake: advice for employers

In the days following the earthquake, many Christchurch business owners will be coming to terms with what remains of their business and have questions. This article answers some of the more common questions that may arise.
September 7th, 2010 by Michael Smyth

Can your business rise again like a phoenix?

If you are trying to restructure your business to keep it going or give it a new start then you need to keep in mind the ‘phoenix company’ provisions. Allister Doo explains.
August 18th, 2010 by Allister Doo