CG Lawyers Newsletter - Win a holiday!

Happy Easter everyone! This is the first newsletter for 2010 and I'd like to kick off with a story that has nothing to do with protection of intellectual property, because as you know CG Lawyers also does corporate work.

The law can affect many aspects of your business, but this story about a million dollar crack-test in the courtroom is a real eye opener.

Someone is actually taking the Australian Taxation Office to court. In January, Perfetto Mini Ciabatte - an oven-baked 'flat bread' imported from Italy and sold in supermarkets around Australia - intended to prove that the product was a bread (no GST) and not a biscuit. The taxman says it's a biscuit. The expert from Italy says it's definitely a bread. Who's right? The court was shown a 'crack test' to see if the bread made a 'crisp crack' or not. The outcome is debatable, but there could be millions of dollars riding on the outcome of this case as it could lead to other products challenging the Tax Office on their method of defining GST-free products.

You can read the original story online at the Sydney Morning Herald website.

March 8 was International Women's Day so it is appropriate that I share with you a story about one of my clients who stood up for her rights, and won.

CG Lawyers

Many of you would have met Cara Pizzata of Cafeideas at our last lunch at the Yuga Cafe and Gallery. She noticed that a competitor had 'borrowed' wording from the highly successful cafeideas website. She asked CG Lawyers to write a formal letter of demand. They probably thought that by making small changes to the text, they were saving their bacon. Instead, as CG Lawyers said to them it clearly indicated a consciousness of guilt. The competitor completely and promptly changed their website and removed the offending wording.

I say, 'Good on you, Cara Pizzata!'

I know I go on and on about being vigilant about your intellectual property rights. But Cara's story shows how taking proactive and cost-effective steps to nip breaches in the bud can get great results. Instructing CG Lawyers to send a letter of demand without delay was obviously the right move on her part.

I really like the way online social networking is gaining strength in the business world. We've all realised that something as simple as regular blogging on relevant topics can attract more traffic to our websites - and also build exposure for our brands.

So, we're looking for a great online social networking effort from you. Something that links our two businesses using social networking as the medium.

It should be part of your own attempt at using social networking for business purposes.

Do you write regular blogs and articles online? Are Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn working for you as a business tool? Do you know of a website where people in your profession discuss issues and problems? Have you been exposed to creative online methods that provide information flow and initiate conversation?

Find creative ways to include CG Lawyers in your regular online networking, then enter your efforts in our competition. You will be in the running for a 2 night escape at Bundle Hill Cottages at Bawley Point. (www.bundlehill.com.au)

Here's all you need to do:

1. Briefly explain how the promotion works telling us why you think it is interesting, and effective.

2. Provide the online link/s to us so we can assess the promotion

3. Remember to provide your name as well as your business name and all your contact details.

The competition closes on June 1, 2010 and the winner will be announced in the following CG Lawyers electronic newsletter. Full details and the conditions of entry are now posted on the CG Lawyers website on the CG Lawyers Community page. (www.cglawyers.com.au). The password is not available on the web. Please contact Cara in order to receive the password.

Have a go!

February: Refresher course at University of Technology Sydney

Remember Carmen Champion from our last November's luncheon event? She was the presenter at this event providing updates on letters of demand, responses to letters of demand, and co-existence agreements. Dry stuff really, but necessary for us lawyer-types. Fortunately, Carmen can make anything sound interesting, and all of you will be benefiting from what I heard at the refresher course.

February: Business breakfast with Nudie Juices

If any of you have ever heard Tim Pethick, founder of Nudie Juices, talk about the journey of his brand, then you'll know how enjoyable this breakfast was for all who attended. Tim spoke about the importance he placed on securing the intellectual property rights to his highly successful brand, created for him by Jack Watts Currie. Nudie Juices is considered to be one of the top ten influential brands in the Asia Pacific region. The Jack Watts Currie website is worth a visit. (www.jackwattscurrie.com.au)

I'll keep you updated on our future calendar of activities through issues of eNews and the website.

Final Words...

Stay tuned for the CG Lawyers' blog.
It will be added to our website later this year. It's a great opportunity to discuss issues that involve you and your business.

Are you a CG Lawyers' fan yet?
Become a CG Lawyers fan on facebook!

Remember to visit CG Lawyers' website and Facebook pages for loads of ideas and information on protecting your intellectual property.

Until next time...

The statements in this email are not intended to be a definitive analysis of legislation or professional advice. You should take legal
advice before any course of action is pursued.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

© CG Lawyers 2010 - ABN 54 571 892 716

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