The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recently been granted new enforcement powers, which make it easier for the regulator to penalise illegal advertising and pricing practices. The ACCC has exercised one of its suite of new powers by issuing infringement notices against restaurants and cafes engaging in "component pricing" in breach of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) (TPA).

Cadbury has challenged Darrell Lea’s use of the colour purple, which is a long-established, and widely recognised, element of Cadbury’s chocolate branding. Cadbury has a long way to go to prove its case, which has been sent back to the original judge for retrial.

Prison sentences for cartel conduct are now a stark reality in Australia, with the Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Bill 2008 set to become law in just weeks.

There is uncertainty in assessing when the ACCC will refuse a merger for the reason that it might substantially lessen competition.

There are two important law reforms coming in next year which will affect most businesses terms of trade and/or credit terms. If you and your forms are not up to date your terms will be unenforceable and at worst you may even be in breach of the Trade Practices Act.

On 17 September 2009, the Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen MP, announced a number of changes to the National Consumer Credit Protection legislation, following recommendations by the Senate Economics Committee.

Meriton has been hit with a $3M penalty for false representations based on conduct with its TripAdvisor reviews.

The national competition regulator, the ACCC, has begun to flex its muscles and for the first time has exercised its new power to "name and shame" businesses which it suspects have misled the public and pose a real threat to unsuspecting consumers.

The “Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Bill 2009”, which will enact unfair contract terms provisions into Australian Federal law, was introduced into Parliament today.

The inquiry will examine how these technology giants are disrupting the media and advertising landscape in Australia.

Enforceable undertakings provided by the South Australian wine retailer, Moving Juice Pty Ltd (Retailer), to the ACCC act as a timely reminder to all businesses of the importance of transparency in advertising.

Article advises the enforcement priorities of the ACCC for 2020.

Links to recent media releases and cases relating to competition law, misleading and deceptive conduct and consumer law.

This is the latest in a monthly series detailing developments in competition and consumer law in Australia, including the activities of Australia's competition and consumer regulator, the ACCC, published judgments, ...

The ACCC has recently allowed a merger between two close competitors on the basis that it was satisfied that the target manufacturer would otherwise be shut down immediately if the merger did not take place.

Cadbury Schweppes executives and their lawyers must have been licking their wounds last night – or perhaps doing some damage to a family block or two, as the High Court yesterday dismissed their application for special leave to appeal against a decision of the full Federal Court in July in which it clarified its earlier ruling in respect of the further hearing it has ordered in this matter.

Even for businesses under scrutiny, there are ways to foster respectful and constructive relationships with regulators.

The inquiry has provided a platform for the ACCC to seek law reforms that would impact businesses across the board.

Links to recent media releases relating to Australian competition & consumer law.

Public sector entities, private businesses and consumers should be familiar with ACCC compliance and enforcement priorities.