Allied Legal

💡 Ever Wonder How a Commercial Lawyer Handles a Breach of Contract? A breach of contract can have serious consequences for any business impacting finances, operations, and long-term stability. Whether it's a material breach, anticipatory breach, or minor breach, navigating the complexities of contract law requires expert legal guidance. 🔎 What does a commercial lawyer do in these cases? ✅ Assess the breach – Reviewing contract terms and determining the severity of the breach. ✅ Negotiate resolution – Engaging with the breaching party to seek a fair outcome before litigation. ✅ Secure damages or remedies – Advising on compensation, contract termination, or specific performance. ✅ Litigate when necessary – Taking legal action when alternative resolutions fail. ✅ Defend against claims – Helping businesses challenge breach allegations or reduce liability. 💡 Prevention is key! A well-drafted contract and ongoing legal advice can help mitigate risks before issues arise. If your business is dealing with a breach of contract or you want to strengthen your agreements, our expert team at Allied Legal is here to help. Let’s protect your business together. 📖 Read our full guide here: https://bit.ly/40BTqEo #CommercialLaw #Contracts #BusinessLaw #BreachOfContract #LegalAdvice #AlliedLegal

🚀 Australian Startups Are Thriving with More Women Founders Than Ever! 📈 Big news for innovation Down Under: Female founder representation in Australian startups has surged from 16% in 2014 to 27% in 2024 (Statista Research, published Jan 2025). While there’s still work ahead, this progress marks a pivotal shift toward inclusivity in entrepreneurship. Why This Matters ✅ Diverse teams drive innovation: Companies with gender-diverse leadership are 25% more likely to outperform (McKinsey). ✅ Role models inspire action: Visibility fuels ambition, creating a cycle of empowerment for future founders. ✅ Stronger ecosystems: Inclusion unlocks untapped talent and economic potential for everyone. At Allied Legal, we’re proud to champion this change. Shoutout to Kasia Ubechel, our Commercial Law and Tech Startup Specialist, who dedicates her expertise to helping women founders navigate legal hurdles and scale their ventures with confidence. Need support? Whether it’s securing funding, protecting IP, or scaling compliance, we’re here to help you build a rock-solid legal foundation. 🗨️ Let’s discuss: 👉 What barriers do you think still hold women founders back? 👉 Which female-led Aussie startups inspire you? Tag a founder making waves below! 👇 #WomenInStartups #AusInnovation #DiversityMatters #FounderJourney #AlliedLegal

🚀 Grant funding can be a game-changer for your business, but securing it isn’t always easy. Winning grants requires a clear strategy, a compelling application, and knowing where to look. That’s why Rolee Kumar Head of Grants & Commercialisation at Allied Legal, has put together a must-read guide to help you unlock business funding and bring your bold ideas to life—all without giving away equity or taking on debt. 🔹 Why grant funding should be part of your business strategy 🔹 How to find the right grants for your startup or scale-up 🔹 Essential tips to craft a winning application 💡 Whether you’re just starting or scaling up, this guide will give you the insights you need to increase your chances of success and secure the funding you deserve. 📖 Read the full guide here: https://bit.ly/3PXILPb Need expert help? Our team at Allied Grants specialises in identifying opportunities and crafting successful applications. Reach out to rolee@alliedlegal.com to see how we can support you. #Startups #Grants #Funding #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #AlliedLegal

🌟 Welcome Jean Kallmyr to Allied Legal! 🌟 We’re excited to welcome Jean Kallmyr to our team as a Commercial Lawyer. With over 25 years of experience in investment management, corporate governance, and strategic advisory, Jean brings a wealth of knowledge to Allied Legal. Her expertise spans corporate law, intellectual property, and employment law, making her a valuable asset to our clients, particularly startups and entrepreneurs. Jean holds a Juris Doctor and an MBA. Fluent in Mandarin and Swedish, she brings a global perspective to her work, offering tailored, practical solutions to help businesses thrive. Outside of work, Jean is an avid swimmer and tennis player and enjoys expressing her creativity through painting. We’re thrilled to have Jean on board and look forward to the impact she will make! #Welcome #AlliedLegal #BusinessAdvisory #CorporateLaw #Startups

🚗 Case Study: Nio vs. Audi – A Trademark Showdown in Australia ⚖️ The recent decision favouring Nio in their trademark dispute with Audi highlights critical lessons for businesses navigating intellectual property challenges. Let’s break it down: 🔍 The Issue Nio applied to register the ES6, ES7, and ES8 trademarks in Australia. Audi opposed, arguing these were too similar to their S6, S7, and S8 marks, claiming the "E" only signified "electric." ⚔️ The Arguments 🛠️ Audi: Claimed consumers might confuse the two sets of trademarks. Asserted that "E" was insufficient to differentiate the marks. 🌟 Nio: Argued the "E" introduced a clear distinction. Highlighted significant visual and aural differences in the trademarks. Emphasised that "E" in automotive branding has diverse meanings beyond "electric." ✅ The Ruling Australian intellectual property authorities sided with Nio, finding the trademarks: - Not substantially similar to Audi's. - Eligible for registration in Australia. 📖 Lessons for Businesses 🔑 Be Distinct: Even subtle differences can make or break a trademark case. 🌍 Think Globally: Trademark rulings vary; what works in one country might not in another. 💡 Proactive Strategy: Adapting branding in advance can mitigate costly disputes. At Allied Legal, we help brands protect their intellectual property and navigate disputes effectively. What do you think about this decision? Could your business survive a trademark challenge? Let’s chat. 👇 #TrademarkDisputes #CaseStudy #LegalInsights #NioVsAudi #Australia #IntellectualProperty #BusinessProtection

🚨 Important Warning for Investors: Avoid the Dangers of Early Stage Investor Tax Offset Schemes 🚨 If you’ve been looking into investing in Australian start-ups, you may have encountered the Early Stage Investor Tax Offset (ESIC), a government initiative to encourage investments in high-risk start-ups. However, recent warnings from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) suggest some investors may unknowingly be involved in schemes that could lead to serious penalties. What is the ESIC Tax Offset? The ESIC Tax Offset allows investors to claim significant tax benefits when investing in qualifying early-stage innovation companies. For instance, investing $50,000 in a start-up could give you a tax offset of up to $10,000, reducing your tax liability and potentially providing a refund. What’s the ATO Concerned About? 🔴 Create the appearance of investment – But with little or no actual financial risk for the investor. 🔴 Misuse funds – Instead of using funds for legitimate business purposes, the money is often controlled or returned via loans and buybacks, not for innovation. 🔴 Enable improper tax claims – Investors may claim the tax offset without actually meeting the necessary legal requirements. How Do These Schemes Work? Connection to a Start-Up: An intermediary presents a start-up as a qualifying ESIC. Loan Arrangement: The investor takes out a loan to cover the cost of the investment. Funds Controlled or Returned: The investment funds are often redirected back to the financier, with little or no access for the start-up. Tax Offset Claimed: The investor claims the offset on their tax return. Loan Repaid with Refunds: Tax refunds and share buybacks are used to repay the loan, leaving the investor with minimal risk while still benefiting from the tax offset. Why Is the ATO Cracking Down? These schemes undermine the purpose of the ESIC incentive. They lead to: ❌ Invalid tax claims (when the start-up doesn’t meet ESIC requirements). ❌ Tax avoidance (falling under Australia’s anti-avoidance provisions). ❌ Misleading promotions of these schemes as legitimate tax-saving strategies. What Are the Risks? The consequences for participating in these schemes could be severe: ⚠️ Tax offsets revoked – You could face a higher tax bill than expected. ⚠️ Loss of CGT exemptions – Potentially significant financial impact. ⚠️ Penalties and prosecution – Both investors and promoters could face hefty fines or legal action. What Should You Do? If you’ve been approached with, or already involved in, one of these schemes, here’s how you can protect yourself: ✅ Seek professional advice from an independent tax professional to assess your situation. ✅ Contact the ATO to clarify your position and avoid penalties. ✅ Make a voluntary disclosure to reduce potential penalties if you’ve unknowingly participated. #InvestmentTips #TaxOffset #ESIC #AustralianStartups #ATO #TaxCompliance #InvestingInStartups #EarlyStageInvestors

📊 What You Should Know: 2024 Startup Muster Report 📊 The latest 2024 Startup Muster report sheds light on key challenges facing Australian startups. Here’s the breakdown: 🔑 Key Challenges R&D Tax Incentive uncertainty: 13% of startups benefit from this critical program, but over 30% find it complex and slow. Migration changes: 7% of startups are negatively impacted by recent immigration restrictions. Cost of living crisis: Nearly 25% of founders struggle to pay bills, with 2% seeking financial aid. 🌍 Shifting Focus Global expansion: Over 80% of startups are targeting international markets, with the US, UK, and New Zealand as top choices. Sector shifts: Medtech leads as a popular field (40%), while fintech and green-tech sectors are seeing a decline. 💸 Funding Woes 69% of startups need external funding to sustain operations, averaging 400+ hours and 100+ investor contacts for each successful fundraising campaign. 📈 Opportunities for Reform 10% of startups want a simplified R&D Tax process. There’s a call for clearer rules, better access for early-stage startups, and increased rebates. What do you think? Are these challenges impacting your startup journey? Let us know in the comments! 👇 For More Info: https://bit.ly/3Ar8CdY #StartupChallenges #Innovation #AustraliaStartups #ResearchAndDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #CostOfLiving #GlobalExpansion #Funding

Exciting News for Innovators! 🚀 Exciting news for Australian companies and universities! The Critical Technologies Challenge Program Round 2 is set to launch on January 15, 2025, offering an incredible opportunity to secure funding for innovative quantum technology projects. 🔍 What’s on Offer? 💰 Stage 1: Feasibility grants ranging from $100K to $500K, with a maximum project duration of 6 months. 🎉 Successful applicants can apply for Stage 2: Demonstrator grants valued at $5M over 15 months. 💡 Who Should Apply? If you're part of a consortium with at least one Australian industry partner and one research organisation, this is your chance to innovate in focus areas such as: 🌱 Enhancing biosecurity 🩺 Advancing health outcomes for First Nations peoples 🚚 Streamlining transport and logistics 💡 Optimising energy networks 📋 How to Get Started: Identify Your Project: Align your goals with the key challenges. Form Partnerships: Build a team with the right industry and research expertise. Join the contacts directory—Ensure your consortium includes at least one Australian industry partner and one research organisation. Stay Informed: Watch for updates on application guidelines and deadlines. 🌟 Interested in applying for Critical Technologies Challenge Program Round 2? Allied Legal is offering complimentary first consultations to assess whether your venture is eligible to apply! With Rolee Kumar, Head of Grants, leading the charge, we’re here to help you unlock this incredible funding opportunity. 👉 Read more on the program: https://lnkd.in/gDgS2pg9 #CriticalTechnologiesChallengeProgram#QuantumTechnology#AusQuantum#AusTech#CriticalTechnology#Innovation#Research#AlliedLegal#FundingOpportunity#Innovation

🚨 Crumbl Cookie Pop-Up Scandal: Was It Legal? 🍪😳 Sydney’s latest dessert craze had influencers and cookie lovers shelling out up to $150 for a Crumbl experience—but there was a twist. After waiting for over an hour, customers found out the cookies were old, flown in from Hawaii, and the pop-up wasn’t affiliated with Crumbl at all! 🍪✈️ Here’s the kicker: Was it illegal? 🤔 While it's legal to sell parallel imports (goods brought in without brand approval), the issue lies in misrepresentation. The pop-up used Crumbl’s distinctive branding, leading customers to believe they were part of the official brand. And that’s where things get tricky… In Australia, misleading customers can lead to legal consequences under trademark law. If you’re promoting something with someone else's name and logo, you need to be crystal clear about what you’re offering. For entrepreneurs: Don’t fall into the trap of thinking “imitation is flattery.” It’s not worth the risk! Protect your brand, stay transparent, and make sure your marketing is above board. ⚖️ At Allied Legal, we help startups navigate this stuff so you don’t get caught out. Need help with your trademark or business protection? Let’s talk! 📲 #LegalTalk #Branding #TrademarkLaw #BusinessMistakes #Startups #CrumblScandal #AlliedLegal #ProtectYourBusiness #LegalAdvice #AustralianLaw #CommercialLaw

🎉 Happy Holidays from Allied Legal! 🎉 As we wrap up another incredible year, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to all the clients, partners, and colleagues who have been part of our journey in 2024. Your trust and collaboration mean the world to us, and we look forward to continuing to support your growth in the year ahead. Here's to a season filled with joy, rest, and reflection. Wishing you all a safe and prosperous New Year. See you in 2025! 🌟 #HappyHolidays #SeasonOfGiving #Gratitude #Startups #BusinessLaw #AlliedLegal