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When AI designs for you, who owns the final product - you, or the machine? Who Owns the Design? Navigating AI Copyright and IP Risks in Business   Artificial intelligence is transforming how Australian businesses design, build, and brand themselves. From instantly generating logos to producing sophisticated product renders, AI tools make design faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever before.   But behind the convenience lies a growing concern few businesses consider un

Workplace rights in Australia’s fast-food industry highlighted amid Grill’d employee class action. Grill’d Class Action: Rest Break Entitlements Under the Spotlight In late 2025, a major class action lawsuit was filed in the Federal Court that has put the spotlight squarely on workplace compliance in the fast-food sector. The action, commenced by Gordon Legal and supported by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA), alleges that Grill’d, the well-known

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Golf Imports Pty. Ltd.  after the wholesaler admitted to engaging in resale price maintenance , a serious breach of Australian competition law. Resale price maintenance can keep prices artificially high, impacting consumers during ongoing cost of living pressures.   The undertaking follows an ACCC investigation into pricing clauses that restricted how retailers could ad

Published:  12 November 2025   Australia’s most recognisable children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles , has admitted that it likely breached the Australian Consumer Law (ACL)  after selling its popular Emma Bow  headband without the required safety warnings for button batteries.   Between June 2022 and March 2024 , The Wiggles sold the light-up headband—powered by button batteries—without the mandatory safety information designed to alert parents to the severe risks these

The Federal Court has found that fashion retailer Fewstone Pty Ltd, trading as City Beach , breached the Australian Consumer Law (ACL)  by supplying consumer products that failed to meet Australia’s mandatory button battery safety and information standards. Button battery safety standards protect children from serious injury under Australian Consumer Law.   The decision highlights the serious compliance risks facing retailers, importers and manufacturers dealing in consumer g

Australia’s consumer watchdog, the ACCC , has issued an urgent warning to parents and educators following the recall of several children’s sand products  that may contain asbestos . The products were sold at major retailers including Officeworks , Educating Kids , Modern Teaching Aids , and Zart Art . Parents urged to safely bag and store recalled sand products containing asbestos - avoid general waste disposal.   The recall was issued by supplier Educational Colours , coveri

(Based on and crediting the original ACCC media release published 11 December 2025)   The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that it will oppose Insurance Australia Group’s (IAG) proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance Pty Ltd (RACI), the insurance arm of the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RAC WA). This decision, originally reported by the ACCC, follows an extensive investigation into the likely competitive impacts on Western Austra

Original information sourced from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We are your trusted legal matchmaker, connecting businesses with the right commercial lawyer based on 30+ years of practical experience.   Igneo’s acquisition proceeds without opposition, maintaining two key competitors in Newcastle’s waste processing sector. The ACCC has announced that it will not oppose Igneo I

ACCC’s proposed conditions for APRA licensing ensure musicians receive fair royalties while supporting business compliance.   The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a draft determination proposing stronger transparency and accountability requirements for the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). If finalised, these conditions would apply for the next five years and would reshape how music licensing operates across Australia.   This

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a new snapshot highlighting the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in 2025 and the potential implications for both consumers and businesses in Australia. This update builds on the ACCC’s March 2025 Final Report of the Digital Platform Services Inquiry, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring of emerging digital technologies.   ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb emphasised that AI-ena

An international online car rental booking platform has paid a financial penalty after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raised concerns about how prices were presented to Australian consumers.   SIA Booking Group Corporation, operating under the name EconomyBookings , paid $39,600 in penalties after the ACCC issued two infringement notices alleging breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL)  relating to pricing representations on its website.    

Based on an ACCC Media Release. Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Bupa misled thousands of members about their health insurance entitlements, according to ACCC findings. The Federal Court has ordered Bupa HI Pty Ltd (Bupa) to pay $35 million  in penalties after finding the insurer engaged in unconscionable conduct  and made false or misleading representations  to its members, hospitals and medical providers.   This blog is based on the A

Based on an ACCC media release published on 19 December 2025.   Australia’s supermarket landscape continues to evolve, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) confirming it will not oppose Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd.’s acquisition of new leasehold interests in Mt Atkinson Major Town Centre and Deanside Central Town Centre. However, the green light is conditional: Coles must divest its interest in a nearby Kororoit Town Centre site to preserve

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from WiseTech Global (ASX: WTC) and its subsidiary BluJay Solutions (Australia) Pty. Ltd. requiring the divestiture of Expedient, a logistics software provider. The undertaking, accepted on 30 December 2025, follows an enforcement investigation into competition concerns arising from WiseTech’s 2025 acquisition of e2open Parent Holdings, Inc. Digital supply chain systems showing freight forwarders, customs brokers and cargo

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has moved to block Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Ltd.’s proposed acquisition of Telwater Pty. Ltd., citing serious concerns that the deal would substantially lessen competition in Australia’s outboard motor market.   In a media release dated 18 December 2025 , the ACCC confirmed that, following an in-depth investigation, it has decided to oppose the transaction due to the risk of higher prices, reduced product quality and

Australian franchise operators are once again being reminded that employment law compliance is not optional ,  and that record-keeping failures can carry significant financial and reputational consequences. Australian franchise employers must comply with Fair Work record-keeping and wage laws or risk significant penalties.   Two former Gami Chicken & Beer franchisees , along with their HR employee, have been fined a combined $76,387 following court action by the Fair Work Om

Australia’s consumer watchdog has taken Federal Court action against meal delivery giants HelloFresh  and Youfoodz , alleging widespread use of misleading subscription practices that left tens of thousands of consumers charged despite attempting to cancel on time. Subscription cancellation barriers under scrutiny as the ACCC targets digital business practices that may breach Australian Consumer Law.   The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)  commenced separa

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a clear warning to major retailers ahead of the Boxing Day sales period, reminding them that promotional activity must comply with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).   The warning follows an ACCC sweep of Black Friday sales advertising, which revealed that potentially misleading and deceptive practices remain widespread across the retail sector, despite repeated regulatory warnings and prior enforcement acti

What Business Owners Need to Know | Bane Legal Services   Based on and crediting the original media release published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on 9 December 2025.   The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has confirmed that the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has paid $792,000 in penalties  after the regulator issued four infringement notices for alleged breaches of the Consumer Data Right (CDR) Rules . ACCC issues $7

When businesses seek legal advice whether for commercial disputes, debt recovery, contract interpretation, or litigation strategy they rely on accuracy, clarity and transparency. One of the most common risks in early-stage legal advice is the use of unsupported assumptions . While assumptions are sometimes unavoidable, they must be handled with care.   Choosing evidence over assumptions protects businesses from legal risks. Recently, a client approached Bane Legal Services a