Titance Legal Newsletter No.2
A message from us
Dear friends,
Titance Legal would like to thank you for continuing to allow us to assist you in your legal needs. See below for some relevant legal updates for the month of August.
FIRB Update
From 29 July 2022, foreign investment fees and penalties will double.
This is to ensure that the costs of administration are not burdened upon Australian citizens and to encourage compliance with Australian rules.
Subclass 482 VISA Update – An opening to permanent residency
From 1 July 2022, temporary skill shortage visa holders of subclass 482 (482 visa) in the short-term stream may be eligible to become permanent residents of Australia via the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.
What is a 482 Subclass visa?
The 482 subclass is a visa that allows an employer to sponsor a skilled worker for a role where a suitably skilled Australian cannot be found. This visa enables employers to address labour shortages.
Some characteristics of this visa are:
in terms of stay duration, the visa holder may stay in Australia:
for up to 2 years minimum;
for up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation applies; or
for up to 5 years if they are a Hong Kong passport holder;
it has no age limit to apply; and
you are required to have at least 2 years of experience in a nominated occupation.
Employers will be able to nominate 482 visa holders if the visa holder:
was in Australia between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021;
meet the general criteria for the 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) or 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) subclasses under the Temporary Residence Transition Stream;
works for a sponsor employer while holding 482 visa; and
have worked for a sponsor employer for a minimum of 3 years.
Our immigration team can assist you in getting your 482 visa smoothly and hassle free. Please contact Titance Legal for a free consultation and assistance.
Last year reported record highs in trade mark applications
According to their 2022 Australian Intellectual Property Report, IP Australia reported an all time high of 88,725 trade mark applications being filed in Australia in 2021.
Despite COVID-19 related restrictions, this was a surprising increase of 8.5% compared to the previous year of 2020.
Further, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 recorded the highest number of business entries in a decade.
What is a trade mark and why register one?
A trade mark is a way you can legally protect your unique product or service. Registration of a trade mark, provides legal protection to that given mark.
Please note that trade marks are different to business names, company names and domain names. Only a registered trade mark is able to receive this protection.
Trade mark protection can be applied to a:
word;
phrase;
logo;
letter;
number;
symbol;
sound;
shape;
image;
packaging; or
scent.
A trade mark can be one of your most valuable marketing tools when promoting your brand. Registering a mark gives you exclusive rights to the mark and makes it easier to take legal action against infringers of your mark.
Our team at Titance Legal may be able to assist you with your intellectual property needs, whether you are starting a new business, wish to protect your intellectual property or you have found a similar business using a trade mark similar to yours. Contract us today for assistance.