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Ultra Tune fined $1.5 million for contempt of court

The Federal Court of Australia has fined Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd (Ultra Tune) $1.5 million for contempt of court.

Media release

Honda to pay $6m in penalties for misleading consumers about dealership closures

The Federal Court today decided it would impose penalties totalling $6 million on Honda Australia Pty Ltd, accepting Honda engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, and made false or misleading representations to customers of three former authorised Honda Australia dealerships.

Media release

Franchisors warned to remove unfair contract terms or risk legal action

The ACCC is warning franchisors to urgently review and amend their standard form franchise agreements or be prepared for potential enforcement action after a review of franchising contracts found wide-ranging concerns.

Media release

Delicia Franchising admits breaches of Franchising Code

After our investigation, health food and beverage retailer Delicia Franchising has admitted in an undertaking to us that it breached the Franchising Code.

Media release

RFG to pay certain franchisees as ACCC settles legal action

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Retail Food Group Ltd (ASX: RFG) in which RFG, the operator of many well-known franchising brands, has agreed to make payments to and waive historical debts of a number of affected current and former franchisees, in relation to the purchase of certain corporate stores by these franchisees.

Media release

Jim's Group pays penalties for alleged breach of Franchising Code and the Australian Consumer Law

Jim’s Group Pty Ltd has paid $24,420 in penalties in its capacity as franchisor of the Jim’s Dog Wash franchise after the ACCC issued it with two infringement notices for an alleged contravention of the Franchising Code of Conduct, and an alleged contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

Media release

ACCC alleges Ultra Tune in contempt of court

The ACCC has instituted contempt of court proceedings against Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd (Ultra Tune) for allegedly breaching court orders which restrained Ultra Tune from contravening parts of the Franchising Code of Conduct (Franchising Code) and for allegedly failing to comply with the requirements of a court-ordered compliance program.

Media release

Small business contacts continue to rise during pandemic

The ACCC received over 3,500 contacts from small businesses in the first six months of this year, the highest number of contacts in the last two years.

Media release

Geowash franchise appeal dismissed

The Full Federal Court has today dismissed an appeal by the former director and franchising manager of former carwash franchise Geowash Pty Ltd against a Federal Court decision that they were knowingly concerned in breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and Franchising Code of Conduct (Franchising Code) by Geowash.

Media release

Collective bargaining by small business facilitated by class exemption

From today, small businesses, franchisees and fuel retailers can use the ACCC’s class exemption for collective bargaining.

Media release

Jump Swim ordered to pay penalties of $23 million and Ian Campbell ordered to pay compensation

The franchisor Jump Loops Pty Ltd (in liquidation) (Jump Swim) has been ordered to pay penalties of $23 million for making false or misleading representations and wrongly accepting payments from franchisees, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.

Media release

Megasave and Gary Bourne to pay penalties for misleading prospective franchisees

The Federal Court has ordered Megasave Couriers Australia Pty Ltd (Megasave) to pay $1.9 million in penalties for making false or misleading representations to prospective franchisees, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.

Media release

Court finds Megasave and Gary Bourne misled prospective franchisees

The Federal Court has declared that Megasave Couriers Australia Pty Ltd (Megasave) breached the Australian Consumer Law by making false or misleading representations to prospective franchisees, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.

Media release

ACCC alleges RFG engaged in unconscionable and misleading conduct

The ACCC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Retail Food Group Limited (ASX: RFG) and five of its related entities (Retail Food Group), alleging the food and beverage franchise company engaged in unconscionable conduct and made false or misleading representations in its dealings with franchisees.

Media release

Class exemption will enable small businesses to collectively bargain

An ACCC class exemption due to commence in early 2021 will allow small businesses, franchisees and fuel retailers to collectively negotiate with their suppliers and processors, franchisor or fuel wholesaler respectively, without first having to seek ACCC approval.

Media release

Back In Motion Physiotherapy to remove alleged unfair contract terms for franchisees

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking by Back In Motion Physiotherapy Pty Ltd to remove certain terms from its franchisees agreements which it admits may be unfair.

Media release

Megasave Couriers and Gary Bourne allegedly misled franchisees

The ACCC has instituted proceedings against franchisor Megasave Couriers Australia Pty Ltd (Megasave) in the Federal Court, alleging that it misled prospective franchisees with false or misleading promises of guaranteed minimum weekly payments and annual income if they purchased a Megasave courier franchise.

Media release

Holden commits to negotiate in good faith with Holden dealers

General Motors Holden Australia NSC Pty Ltd (Holden) has committed to negotiate with its dealers in good faith about compensation for Holden’s withdrawal from the Australian market, as required under the Franchising Code of Conduct and Australian Consumer Law.

Media release

Bob Jane gives undertaking in relation to franchise agreements

Bob Jane Corporation Pty Ltd (Bob Jane) has given the ACCC a court-enforceable undertaking to comply with its obligations under the Franchising Code of Conduct in relation to renewal and extension of franchising agreements.

Media release

7-Eleven and franchisees authorised to cooperate on store opening times

7-Eleven and its franchisees have been granted conditional interim authorisation to discuss potential temporary store closures or reduced trading hours in light of reduced customer demand because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Media release

False and misleading conduct key issue for small businesses

Reports to the ACCC by small businesses about false and misleading conduct by other businesses including suppliers increased by eight per cent, totalling more than 900, in the six months to 31 December 2019.

Media release

$4.2 million in penalties ordered against former car wash franchisor Geowash and two executives

The Federal Court has ordered $4.2 million in penalties against former carwash and detailing franchisor Geowash Pty Ltd, its director Sanam Ali and its franchising manager Charles Cameron for breaches of the Australian Consumer Law.

Media release

Full Federal Court confirms franchisor obligations in Ultra Tune appeal decision

The Full Federal Court has confirmed important franchisor obligations, while upholding aspects of an appeal by Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd (Ultra Tune).

Media release

ACCC finds food franchisors not disclosing critical information

The ACCC has found that franchisors in the food services sector are commonly providing inadequate information to potential franchisees.

Media release

ACCC continues to focus on supporting small business

Unfair contract terms are a key focus in the ACCC’s latest Small Business in Focus report.

Ultra Tune fined $1.5 million for contempt of court

Honda to pay $6m in penalties for misleading consumers about dealership closures

Franchisors warned to remove unfair contract terms or risk legal action

Delicia Franchising admits breaches of Franchising Code

RFG to pay certain franchisees as ACCC settles legal action

Jim's Group pays penalties for alleged breach of Franchising Code and the Australian Consumer Law

ACCC alleges Ultra Tune in contempt of court

Small business contacts continue to rise during pandemic

Geowash franchise appeal dismissed

Collective bargaining by small business facilitated by class exemption

Jump Swim ordered to pay penalties of $23 million and Ian Campbell ordered to pay compensation

Megasave and Gary Bourne to pay penalties for misleading prospective franchisees

Court finds Megasave and Gary Bourne misled prospective franchisees

ACCC alleges RFG engaged in unconscionable and misleading conduct

Class exemption will enable small businesses to collectively bargain

Back In Motion Physiotherapy to remove alleged unfair contract terms for franchisees

Megasave Couriers and Gary Bourne allegedly misled franchisees

Holden commits to negotiate in good faith with Holden dealers

Bob Jane gives undertaking in relation to franchise agreements

7-Eleven and franchisees authorised to cooperate on store opening times

False and misleading conduct key issue for small businesses

$4.2 million in penalties ordered against former car wash franchisor Geowash and two executives

Full Federal Court confirms franchisor obligations in Ultra Tune appeal decision

ACCC finds food franchisors not disclosing critical information

ACCC continues to focus on supporting small business

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