In the recent case of Facebook, Inc. [2020] APO 19 (Facebook Inc.), the Patent’s office considered whether software that tracks the installation of applications on mobile devices following interactions with advertisements qualifies as a manner of manufacture and is therefore patentable subject matter. [Read more…]
IT Law
Marketplace terms and conditions – legal issues
September 3, 2020 by
A marketplace platform is great for doing online business and connecting service providers and customers. Notable marketplaces are Airtasker, eBay and Amazon, however marketplaces can be used by businesses looking to facilitate human connections between people, such as LinkedIn.
Whatever the purpose of the marketplace, platform operators need to have a set of terms and conditions in place which ringfence the platform operator from certain liabilities and seek to ensure that most issues between users are matters between them, and not the platform operator. Below we outline some of the essential terms that a marketplace terms and conditions should consider. [Read more…]
Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth)
August 28, 2020 by
In Australia the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth) (Act) sets the rules for companies that offer or advertise gambling services. It applies to all online gambling, whether through a website, app or social media platform. Under the Act, the provision of internet gambling services in Australia is generally prohibited, subject to some exceptions. The Act empowers the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to investigate complaints, write investigation reports and undertake enforcement and compliance monitoring activities. [Read more…]
Standard form IT procurement contracts – legal issues
August 27, 2020 by
Standard form IT procurement agreements are commonly used by businesses which have an established procurement department to standardise the commercial and legal procurement process. Below we address key terms in standard form IT procurement agreements which suppliers should look out for when presented with one. [Read more…]
Advertising guidelines for Carriage Service Providers
August 5, 2020 by
This article gives an overview of the requirements set out under the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code 2019 (TCP Code) for advertising by Carriage Service Providers (CSP). The TCP is a binding code under the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman can take enforcement action CSP’s which breach the TCP Code. [Read more…]
Standard form telecommunications services agreements
July 31, 2020 by
Too often carriage service providers neglect to ensure that their standard form of service agreement (SFA’s) comply with the telecommunications law regulatory regime. This can lead to consumer complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) and orders for compensation to be paid to the Consumer and fines. Below we set out some of the key requirements that need to be complied with for carriage service providers comply with the telecommunications law. [Read more…]
Software as a Service agreements revisited
July 30, 2020 by
Offering software as a cloud-base software solution is important in this ever-increasing cloudy environment. In a previous article we discussed the legal considerations for those commercialising a software as a service agreement (SaaS Agreement) as a business model. Below we revisit SaaS Agreements and set out key issues to consider when going to market. [Read more…]
Managed service agreements for IT companies
July 30, 2020 by
A Managed Services Agreement (MSA) is an agreement between an IT managed services provider (MSP) and its client. An MSP will manage and provide a defined set of services to its client as set out in the MSA. Some common services that are provided by MSPs are systems and application management, managed communications, data backup and recovery, data storage, cloud services, network monitoring, management and security and software support and maintenance, authentication services, as well providing any necessary hardware. [Read more…]
What is a software licence agreement?
July 22, 2020 by
A software licence agreement (Software Licence Agreement) is a contract where one party (Licensor) grants to another party (Licensee) the right to use the defined software. It is often used by software developers (Developers) so that they can build and own a core application, customise it for particular clients and provide them with a licence to use the core. In many cases this licence has been the start of a substantial business enterprise. The term Software Licence Agreement can apply to both installed software as well as cloud based applications. That said cloud based Apps are commonly referred to as “Software as a service contracts” or SaaS Contracts because they involve the right to access and use a software application as opposed to a right to reproduce the code. [Read more…]
Top 11 legal tips when selling a technology business
July 14, 2020 by
Selling a technology business can be an exciting time for shareholders and directors who have worked hard towards an exit. Because of this, it’s important for the exit to be as smooth as possible. Below we set out our top 11 tips for selling a technology business which, if followed, will ensure greater protection for sellers and reduce their risk. [Read more…]
