Online News
August 2009
Intellectual Property
Changes to benefit small business
From October this year, businesses will be able to register trade marks more cheaply and easily thanks to a number of new proposals announced today by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). The New trade mark services from the IPO should make it cheaper and faster to complete the trade mark process which in turn is hoped to kick start small businesses.
Divorce Settlements Hit By Recession
The recession has meant that many divorced individuals are having to revisit old maintenance orders, since falls in income, and particularly bonus payments, for some individuals mean the maintenance they were paying now exceeds their income. Where a maintenance recipient is happy to accept that circumstances have changed, it is normally possible to agree a variation without going to court.
Employment Disputes
Tension in the workplaces increases
According to a survey released by ACAS, the recession is having a significant effect on the number of employment disputes between employer and employee. The unstable employment landscape, caused by the increasing economic pressures on business, has caused the dramatic change. The report highlights arise in unfair dismissal conciliation cases, other employment tribunal cases and the demand for redundancy advice.
Digital Britain
Copyright infringement will mean tougher penalties
Following the publication of the Digital Britain Report, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has outlined proposals to improve the rules governing copyright licensing while increasing the financial penalties for online infringers.
"Inheritance Levy'' To Fund Care Of Elderly
Government proposes £12,000 "inheritance levy'' to pay for care of the elderly.
A government green paper on long-term care, published this month, outlines proposals for a £12,000 "inheritance levy to fund health treatment for the elderly.
