Woolley & Co E-Zine February 2006
Tips and ideas for keeping your business on the right side of the law


Welcome. In this February newsletter we take a look at the Office of Fair Trade guidance on online selling which we think has some sensible ideas for anyone trading online.

We welcome your feedback - if there is any particular legal issue you'd like to see covered send the details through to marketing@business-lawfirm.co.uk or if you have a question for one of our lawyers you can Ask A Lawyer on our website.

Andrew Woolley
Andrew Woolley, Senior Partner, Woolley & Co

Selling Information

Do you sell (or market) information? You probably do, or at least could do. Anyone from a lawyer, accountant, web developer, trainer or marketing consultant can sell information.

Some people sell this information face to face (or even give it away), some sell it in books, some via CDs and many more on-line and an increasing amount of people sell information via an e-book (effectively a book you can download from a website).

If you sell information in this way make sure you read 10 Tips for Information Marketers on the Woolley & Co website.


Business Failures Rising –
Directors at Risk?
Spam – First Court Case

With the latest DTI statistics showing an increase in corporate insolvency in 2005 compared to 2004, from 12,192 to 12,893, there is a danger that directors not fully aware of their responsibilities, may find themselves facing more than just financial difficulties.

To find out how you might become personally liable for your company’s debts, even if you run a limited company, and for a step by step guide on what you should and shouldn’t do as a director of an ailing business read the Directors Responsibilities article on our website.

UK engineer, Nigel Roberts has become the first person to win a court judgement over a company’s breach of anti-spam laws. Using European law he successfully sued Media Logistics (UK) Ltd – a marketing firm based in Falkirk – in the small claims court for sending him unsolicited emails about contract car hire and their fax broadcasting service.

Although the fine was a modest £300 the scene is set for more cases – especially since Mr Roberts has set up an online support group for those wanting to sue spammers. Read more about Spam and Cold Commercial Emails on the business-lawfirm website.


Known Legal Changes for 2006

The DTI have just published their schedule of known legislative changes due to come into effect in 2006. Most of the changes in April are unlikely to affect smaller businesses but in October this year there are a whole series of changes which could impact your business – from changes to the Registered Designs Act and patent rules to the much talked about age discrimination legislation. Full details are available in the DTI Statement of Common Commencement Dates.


Patent Office opinion service

The Patent Office website has some useful information to help small firms avoid patent disputes. Their ‘opinion’ service provides an alternative method of resolving patent problems to taking the matter to court. The service which costs £200, allows you to get an opinion about potential patent infringements or the validity of a patent. Certainly cheaper than going to court.


To find out more about these and other legal issues visit the Woolley & Co website at www.business-lawfirm.co.uk. The site also contains articles and back copies of our E-zine – which might be a useful place to start if you have a legal problem you need help with.

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