Key Australian regulators have moved to establish new initiatives and scale-back some existing programs as the COVID-19 crisis deepens. Given the current crisis impacts both business and consumers alike, ASIC and the ACCC have prioritised their resources to ensure they are best placed to respond where necessary. The key take-outs for businesses to consider are: … Read more
By Adrian Faelli (Lawyer) and David Robbins (Principal Solicitor) The ACCC has confirmed it will not allow Meredith Dairy to stop retailers from discounting its goat cheese products. The ACCC’s decision shows it will not lightly depart from the position that consumers are best served when retailers are free to set their own prices, and … Read more
By David Robbins (Principal Solicitor) and Laura-Jane Palma (Lawyer) The ACCC has succeeded in Federal Court action against Swiss-based online ticket reseller Viagogo, with the Court finding Viagogo’s advertising practices were false and misleading in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. Following hundreds of complaints received from disgruntled consumers, the ACCC’s case centred on a … Read more
By Darrell Choong (Lawyer) and Amelia Edwards (Senior Associate) Imagine this: there’s a blank space on your product, or website, and there is a nagging thought at the back of your mind that it should be filled up. You are unable to shake it off. Inspiration strikes. You decide to put up a banner proclaiming … Read more
By Naomi Stephens (Paralegal) and Amelia Edwards (Lawyer) Weight loss giant Jenny Craig has paid penalties totalling $37,800 following an investigation by the ACCC into multiple misleading representations made in its lose “10kg for $10” campaign. What happened? Wrongly trimming the informational fat: The campaign ran from December 2017 to February 2018, with advertising stating … Read more
By Naomi Stephens (Paralegal) and Amelia Edwards (Lawyer) The headlines are screaming, the politicians are pontificating: the Cambridge Analytica data breach scandal has turned the spotlight on Big Bad Data, and through all the huffing and puffing that has followed the unshaken public consensus seems to be that Facebook has, by negligence or design, thrown … Read more
The Federal Court has ordered Perth builder, Aveling Homes Pty Ltd, to pay penalties totalling $380,000 for engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct regarding the manipulation of online reviews of its products and services. What happened? Aveling Homes owned and controlled two websites for customers to post reviews about their experiences with both it and … Read more
In a rare move, an Advertising Standards Board ruling regarding an ad by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has been overturned following an independent review. What happened? To celebrate spring lamb, MLA produced an ad entitled “You never lamb alone” and which depicted a group of religious icons and deities sitting down to enjoy an … Read more
In a warning to businesses which engage in email marketing, telecommunications giant TPG has been fined by the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) for breaching the Spam Act 2003 (the Act). Background Under the Act, businesses sending commercial electronic messages, such as e-newsletters and marketing emails, must comply with (amongst other things) three key … Read more
