Events

The judge weighing the legal costs sought to be deducted from a $300 million settlement in pelvic mesh class actions against Johnson & Johnson has questioned Shine Lawyers’ bid to make group members pay $32 million in interest incurred on a loan the firm took out at “credit card” rates.

Pop star Katy Perry has appealed her loss in a long-running trade mark fight with an Australian fashion designer over the right to use her name to sell clothing in Australia.

Skincare giant L’Oreal has lost the rights to use a 23-year-old trade mark for branding some of its products, after a competitor successfully campaigned IP Australia to strike it from the register for non-use. 

A judge has questioned an $11 million settlement in a class action against retirement village provider Aveo, resolving to appoint a contradictor and a costs referee amid a dispute between the plaintiff law firm and its litigation funder, which the court heard has “grave concerns” about the costs incurred in the case.

Seven Network has lost its effort to stop convenience chain 7-Eleven from using a contested logo even though Seven had registered the trade mark first, with a court finding the broadcaster sat on the mark for too long before using it. 

Cruise operator Scenic Tours has agreed to settle a long-running class action with travellers who were promised a “once in a lifetime cruise along the grand waterways of Europe” but were instead forced to take the bus, after almost ten years of litigation that went all the way to the High Court.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has copped a record $3.55 million penalty for breaching spam laws after it sent more than 65 million emails without an easy way for individuals to unsubscribe.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer and his company Mineralogy have lost a bid to block subpoenas asking their advisors to hand over information regarding the sale of Townville’s Yabulu nickel and cobalt refinery, as part of a $1.8 billion fight over the value of the site.   

Restaurant chain Fogo Brazilia is facing a class action alleging it misled franchisees about the profitability of its businesses, with business owners also making claims against an employment law practice that drafted the franchise agreements.

Two directors who were ousted from Bubs Australia and have mounted a challenge to its new leadership have filed proceedings against the infant formula company for breach of workplace rights.