Tax
Uber ‘not a mere conduit’, High Court told in $81M payroll tax case
Rideshare giant Uber is not a passive intermediary between drivers and riders, the NSW Office of State Revenue has told the High Court in a case over $81 million in payroll tax, but controls trips via its platform "from start to finish".
Competition & Consumer Protection
ACCC seeks $36M penalty against Emma Sleep for misleading discounts
The consumer watchdog is pushing for a $36 million penalty against Emma Sleep after it admitted to repeatedly misleading consumers about discounts, but the online mattress retailer says a $2 million fine is adequate.
Intellectual Property
Shein, Kmart accused of copying designs of Qld clothing company
Queensland-based online clothing shop Sabo Skirt has taken 20 companies to court -- including fast fashion giant Shein and retailer Kmart -- for allegedly selling cheap knockoff versions of its designs.
Class Actions
10-year-old Ford class action goes back up to appeals court
A defects class action against Ford that's been on foot since 2016 is headed to the Full Court again, after a judge recently ruled on two remaining issues in dispute following a High Court ruling on on how reduction in value damages should be calculated.
Intellectual Property
IP Australia says f*ck yeah to vulgar trade mark
Saying swear words are now part of the common vernacular, IP Australia has cleared a vitamin company's foul- mouthed trademark for registration, on the proviso that the branding is restricted to goods aimed at adults.
Appeals
Appeal filed after judge pans ‘wilful blindness’ by ATO in chasing debt
The Commonwealth has appealed a ruling that found the ATO knowingly received millions misappropriated by a former Kupang Resources director in order to satisfy a tax debt against him and skewered the office's “policy of wilful blindness” in pursuit of the debt.
Article
Fashion brand Portia & Scarlett settles suit against founder
Formalwear brand Portia & Scarlett has resolved a lawsuit against one of its founders alleging she accessed confidential dress designs contained in two computer files.
High Court
Marist Brothers student shouldn’t be ‘shut out’ of High Court ruling: judge
A judge has applied a recent High Court decision, which had a significant effect on survivor claims in Australia, in a historic sexual abuse case against the Marist Brothers, despite no explicit pleading of the necessary claim.
Employment
FWC bumps pay rates for 18-20 year old retail, fast food workers
In a ruling that will have a significant impact on retailers with a young workforce, like Woolworths and Coles, the Fair Work Commission has done away with discounted rates for 18-20 year olds that work in the retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors.
Social Media
eSafety probes platforms over compliance with kids social media ban
The sSafety Commissioner is investigating five major social media companies over their compliance with a new ban on kids under 16 accessing their platforms, saying they have not implemented appropriate systems to keep kids off.
