Changes to the rules on using cookies

If you have any questions about this Update or any other business law related matter then please contact me using this link

New laws have come into force requiring your business to obtain consent from visitors to your website to store or retrieve usage information from users' computers or mobile devices. Previously, your business could simply tell visitors how you used cookies and how they could "opt-out" if they objected. Many websites did this by putting information about cookies in their privacy policies and giving people the possibility of "opting out".

What are cookies?

On-line and Email Risks for Businesses - ignore at your peril

If you have any questions about this Update, please contact me using this link

The use of the internet and e-mails can be very succesful marketing tools and increases in business efficiency can be easily achieved. I have seen the number of hard copy letters that I write and despatch by post reduce very significantly as the popularity of email has progressed. However, with every system there are risks and highlighted below are areas that need to be considered by employers and empoyees alike.

Passing Off

If you have any questions about this article then please contact me using this link

What is passing off?

Passing off enables your business to take legal action against someone who creates the impression that their goods or services are provided by you.

Data Protection a reminder of your obligations

The legal obligations your business should consider when dealing with personal data about Customers, Suppliers, Employees or any other individual who you may encounter in the course of business.

Franchisors must take note of High Court decision

A franchisor tried to terminate a franchising agreement on the grounds of damage to the franchised brand, because a franchisee's employee had obtained the personal data of a client and harassed them.

The Court decided that the actions of the employee were attributable to the franchisee but  the franchisor did not have sufficient grounds to terminate.  The Court reasoned that the franchisor's fear or concern of damage to the brand was insufficient,  there must be evidence of actual damage which the franchisor could not provide.

Franchisors must review their franchise agreements to ensure that their brand and reputation is adequately protected. If you should need advice on this and other franchising matters then please contact me using this link.

Bribery Act 2010 –Part 3 Practical Steps to Take Now

This is the third in my series of articles relating to the implication of the Act on businesses. You can view the preceding articles by clicking on Article I and Article 2

Small and medium-sized enterprises will inevitably have fewer resources to counter bribery than larger companies. However, you can take some straight-forward measures before the law comes into force to help prevent your business breaching the new legislation.