Company and Commercial

Jordans Spring 2012 Commercial Newsletter

An advert that shows a competitor’s product in a bad light can have a major impact on customers. However, new regulations due to come into force on 26th May are a useful reminder to those involved with advertising their products that strict legal rules must be followed.

Many local clients try all kinds of weird and wonderful advertising stunts rather than a straightforward brochure or mailing. One of the newer forms of advertising with potential to reach many prospective customers is Internet marketing.

Not all businesses are as high profile as Northern Rock or Bradford & Bingley but many are going through similar periods of financial difficulties at present. Many need more cash like some of the banks that have been in the press during May 2008.

Many local clients are considering buying or selling a business and, in doing so, secrecy is paramount. If details get out, the deal can be scuppered so it is important to keep things under wraps to protect relationships with customers and suppliers. In some cases, employees will be inclined to leave if they get wind of a deal in the offing. In the current economic climate some sales are forced due to liquidity problems and some buyers are snapping up businesses or assets. Some people often do not properly consider the legal side of the sale and purchase of a…

Do you sell on line? If so, watch out for an important decision of the courts about the sale of fake merchandise. Often we have clients who get themselves in trouble over trademarks and copyright. Sometimes they copy photographs onto their websites without permission or they import, or export goods without the necessary permissions. We can advise on all aspect of commercial law, including trademarks and copyright. In the latest Ebay case, a French court held that over 90% of the LVMH merchandise was fake. Ebay’s business model works on the basis that as soon as fake goods are brought…

Three oil executives were jailed for price fixing on 11th June in the first such prosecution ever for a cartel.

The Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2008 comes into force on 1st October 2008.

Businesses are fighting fires on many fronts in the current economic climate. Banks withdrawing overdraft facilities and other funding is not helping and some suppliers, such as Tesco, have announced they will pay non-food suppliers within 60 days not 30 days to help fund the expensive Christmas period. Conversely, some suppliers to large high street chains are trying to tighten payment periods, and indeed, demanding cash up front.

New company law provisions came into force under the Companies Act 2008 on 1st October 2008.