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A new programme has been launched that will make it easier for UK businesses to apply for patents in China. The pilot Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programme will streamline patent applications between the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and their counterparts in China. It means that a business that has obtained a patent in the
The administrative burden on small businesses involved in takeovers could be eased by the latest changes to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE). TUPE regulations are designed to protect the interests of employees if their company is sold to new owners. The regulations come into effect on 31 July to allow
A new Bill to help small businesses is being introduced by the government. The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill contains several measures designed to make it easier for small firms to thrive. They include: • Strengthening the rules on director disqualifications and measures to help creditors recoup losses resulting from director misconduct. • Assisting
Exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts are to be banned so that employees can no longer be tied to a company that may not have any work to offer them. Some firms, including recruitment agencies, have been using exclusivity clauses to prevent an individual from working for another employer, even if the firm has nothing
When setting up a business venture involving two or more people it is essential to have a written agreement so that everyone understands their responsibilities and entitlements. Failure to do so can lead to confusion and the need for legal action, as illustrated in a recent case before the High Court. It involved three people
The problems small firms face with late payments from larger businesses is being tackled in a new set of guidelines put forward by the government. Hundreds of large firms have signed the Prompt Payment Code but many of them don’t always meet the standards required. Overdue invoices have been identified as one of the major
A cleaning company has been granted an interim injunction preventing former franchisees from competing with it until disputed issues can be dealt with in court. The company made the move to block two franchisees from competing for the same business in Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire. The franchise agreement had been terminated, although it was disputed
More UK businesses are protecting their brand by challenging trademark applications from rival companies. According to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), 1,775 companies took action to prevent a rival registering a conflicting trademark in the financial year 2013/14 – a 17% rise on the previous year. It is evidence that UK companies are actively protecting
A further 25 employers have been named and shamed for failing to pay the minimum wage. It’s the latest move in the government crackdown on rogue businesses who fail to treat their staff correctly. The measures were introduced in October last year and several firms have already been named and shamed. In June, the government
The government has announced a change to the Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme amid concerns over rising house prices. New loans granted under the scheme must now be less than 4.5 times the borrower’s income. In a separate move, the Bank of England has told mortgage lenders that only 15% of loans they grant