Are a business name, a company name and a trade mark all the same thing? No, not really. In short, these three names have different meanings, different uses and protections, and are registered in different ways. Regardless of the type of name that you are looking to register, you need to
How do I apply for a trademark?
Lots of businesses in Australia and around the world struggle to conceptualise the value of registering and protecting their brand by registering a trade mark. A trade mark is used to distinguish the goods and services of one trader from those of another. The owner has exclusive rights to use,
Pre-Lease Checklist
A lease is a legally binding document between a tenant (known as the lessee) and a landlord (known as the lessor). A lease allows a tenant to occupy an area - like a whole building - or a part of an area - - like a shop front in a shopping centre – which are usually known as the premises. It is
Do I need a privacy policy?
Privacy policies seem mundane and only add to the hoops a business or their website has to jump through to be compliant. However, these policies are becoming increasingly important as our Australian and international laws become more focussed on the protection of personal data received from clients,
Do I need terms and conditions?
If your business operates a website, or sells products or services either in a shopfront or online, then it is highly recommended that you have some sort of terms of use or terms and conditions (T&Cs) outlining the relationship between you and your customers. You shouldn’t undervalue a good
Do I need a trust?
A trust is a legal structure used to run a business. While trusts may seem complicated at first, a trust can save a business money by providing significant tax benefits. A trust imposes a legal obligation on a trustee. A trustee is a person administering the trust, to carry out the business. A
What is a Partnership?
A partnership is a business structure in which the business is owned and operated by two or more business partners. In a partnership, management of the business is shared. Unlike as a sole trader, all partners are responsible for the debts and losses of the business. This means one partner can be
Pivot, Plan and Prosper | Grant Game Changer
The Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant was announced yesterday and offers small businesses up to $10,000 from the Queensland Government to fund a wide range of business projects and expenditure. Unlike most government grants which focus on specific types of projects the range of services and
What is a Sole Trader?
A sole trader is probably the simplest and lowest cost of the business structures. As a sole trader you are responsible for all aspects of the business - including any profit the business may make, but also for any debt or losses. If your business becomes insolvent, then you can be personally liable
Starting your startup
We get it. Starting your own business can be daunting. While you are juggling planning your business and trying to get it off the ground, getting the right legal support team in place is probably the furthest task from your mind. But, it’s actually really important. Getting your legal business
Name Registration Does Not Protect Your Brand
It’s a common misconception that registration of a business, company or domain name grants ownership and exclusive use of the name as a form of brand protection. The registration of a business, company or domain name does not automatically grant any proprietary ownership rights in the name. At
Startup Checklist
Starting out is not easy. Here is our startup checklist to help get your ducks in a row: Preparing a business plan – this is a really important document to flesh out your ideas, the market, and strategise how you will keep your business afloat in the first few years. Your business strategy