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BASF drops case against Sherwood Chemicals over termite control patent
BASF has dropped a lawsuit alleging Sherwood Chemicals infringed two of its patents for an underground termite control system.
Thorn looks to raise $38.7M to cover class action settlement
Thorn Group is seeking to raise $38.7 million to cover its share of a $29 million settlement in a consumer class action alleging its Radio Rentals unit pushed misleading 'Rent, Try, $1 Buy' leases onto vulnerable customers.
VW settles landmark dieselgate class actions for up to $127M
After four years of litigation, the Volkswagen diesel emissions class actions have reached an in-principle settlement of up to $127.1 million, with affected consumers expected to receive $1,400 per vehicle on average if 100 per cent participation is achieved.
High Court rejects council’s appeal bid in Walla Walla tip fire class action
The High Court has cleared the way for victims of a rubbish tip fire that tore through 17,000 acres of farmland in the NSW Riverina to claim more than $20 million in damages in a class action, after rejecting an appeal bid by the local council.
Judge slams NRMA’s ‘intrusion’ on industrial jurisdiction with consumer suit
A judge has thrown out the NRMA’s consumer case against the maritime union over its Sydney fast ferry campaign, ruling that a verdict in favour of the motoring body would have brought the “the entire field of industrial relations within the operation of consumer legislation”.
ACCC signs off on Elders’ $187M rural services deal with AIRR
The competition regulator has given rural retailer company Elders the greenlight to proceed with its proposed $187 million acquisition of wholesale group Australian Independent Rural Retailers, but has warned it will be paying close attention to any future consolidation in the rural sector.
Important developments in the ACCC’s cartel immunity policy and introduction of whistleblowing tool
From October 1, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will apply an updated cartel immunity and cooperation policy, with the changes said to reflect the ACCC’s experiences from key criminal investigations undertaken to date. The ACCC is also launching an online portal to allow whistleblowers to anonymously report alleged cartel conduct directly to the ACCC. Here, King & Wood Mallesons partner Peta Stevenson and senior associate Jacqueline Ibrahim tells you what you need to know about these significant developments.
Federal Court approval of funding commission recognises risks faced by funders
In a recent decision, Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach approved the settlement of the securities class action against Sirtex Medical. The approval included the judge making a common fund order and allowing funder IMF Bentham's commission in the amount of $10 million, namely 25% of the gross settlement sum of $40 million. In approving the commission, Justice Beach noted that the rate should properly provide a reward for the risks undertaken by the funder, writes IMF Bentham's Gavin Beardsell and Kate Hurford.
LG to pay $160,000 for misleading customers about refund rights on faulty TVs
Electronics giant LG has been ordered to pay a $160,000 penalty after its call centre workers misled two complaining customers about their rights to replace a faulty television or get a refund under the Australian Consumer Law.
Corner Hotel settles IP dispute with McDonald’s over hipster cafe
A settlement has been reached in an intellectual property lawsuit brought by famed Melbourne pub The Corner Hotel against McDonald's alleging the fast food chain's experimental hipster cafe in Sydney violates its "Corner" trade marks.