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
Female entrepreneurs are being helped to grow their businesses by a new set of government schemes. The measures are part of the Small Business: GREAT Ambition campaign which aims to help small businesses survive and thrive as the economy continues to recover. Part of the campaign is targeted specifically at female business owners, with various
For those who fail, however, it can prove costly and demoralising. You can improve your chances of success by doing your homework before starting work or investing any money. Test your great idea You may think you have a great idea for a new business but are you sure other firms haven’t had exactly the
However, there has to be evidence of unlawful behaviour as opposed to the majority shareholders simply conducting business in a way contrary to the wishes of the minority. A recent case before the High Court involved a businessman who was a minority shareholder in an aviation company. He claimed that he had bought his shares
An insurance company has won a legal dispute with a trade union over commission payments on the sale of its services to new customers. The case involved Unite the Union and Liverpool Victoria Banking Services. They had an agreement whereby Unite allowed Victoria access to its members in order to market and sell services to
After many years building up a business, directors often worry about how to bow out successfully while ensuring that the firm continues to thrive. The key to ensuring a smooth succession is to start planning as early as possible ahead of your target retirement date. The first step is to hold meetings with those who
Running a business is never easy and the economic downturn of the last few years has only added to the difficulties. The pressures of making vital decisions in such trying times can often put a strain on the relationship of company directors and business owners. The danger is that businesses can begin to struggle when
The term director is often applied to people running a company even though they aren’t officially listed as directors. This can lead to confusion because genuine directors have specific duties in law which do not necessarily apply to employees acting in a managerial role. It is possible for managers to be seen as de facto
Mr Cameron said that many firms have been bogged down by minor regulations and legislation, preventing them from using their time and money more efficiently to expand. The Prime Minister was speaking at a Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) conference. He said: “”We need to be a country that celebrates enterprise and backs risk takers.”
Businesses that are unhappy with the way their sector is regulated can now contact regulators and government ministers to push for changes. Business Minister Michael Fallon says he wants to give companies a greater say in how their sector is run. The original Focus on Enforcement initiative had some success in improving the system but