Technology | Communications | IP | Commercial

Roaming charges to be abolished in Europe in 2014

June 13, 2013

From TechWeek Europe and the Daily Telegraph: The European Commission has voted to end the practice of imposing mobile roaming charges when travelling to different countries in Europe, beginning in July next year. Europe’s 27 commissioners followed a recommendation from vice president Neelie Kroes, and voted last week to abolish roaming charges in Europe. The […] Read more »

Australian Information Commissioner’s Statement on US ‘PRISM” Surveillance Program

June 12, 2013

From the OAIC: The Australian Information Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim, has issued the following statement on the United States ‘PRISM’ surveillance program: Reports on the surveillance of the communications and online activity of citizens by US intelligence agencies have raised a number of questions, including what this means for the privacy of individuals. Privacy is a […] Read more »

Utel Networks pays infringement notices for misleading consumers

June 7, 2013

From the ACCC: Utel Networks Pty Ltd has paid three infringement notices, totalling $19,800, and provided a court enforceable undertaking to the Australian Competition and Conmsumer Commission (ACCC) for misrepresentations made by them to customers through their telemarketing activities. Utel Networks provides a number of telecommunications services, and markets these services through a Phillipines-based subsidiary. […] Read more »

TIO Complaint Statistics for January to March 2013

June 4, 2013

From the TIO: The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has released complaints statistics for the first three months of 2013. The TIO’s summary of the statistics is as follows: The TIO received 40,021 new complaints between January and March 2013, an increase of 4.5 per cent when compared to the previous quarter, and a 23.3 per […] Read more »

IACCM publishes 20 critical information security controls

May 31, 2013

From the IACCM: The International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) has published a useful checklist for businesses seeking a guide to information security controls. Based on the SANS Institute’s ‘Top 20 Critical Controls’ document, the guidance is useful for businesses to prioritise and fund information security initiatives. The top 20 tips are Inventory […] Read more »

Vodafone warned by ACMA over advertising

May 30, 2013

From the ACMA: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a formal warning to Vodafone Pty Ltd for a breach of the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code (TCP Code). The warning relates to a failure by Vodafone to prominently display its standard charges for a mobile phone offer, as required by clause 4.2.6 of […] Read more »

ACCC finalises wholesale prices for broadband services on Telstra’s copper network

May 30, 2013

From the ACCC: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that it has completed its inquiry to set terms and conditions for the wholesale ADSL service and published a Final Access Determination (FAD). Retailers utilise Telstra’s copper network to provide ADSL broadband internet to customers. The FAD lays out the price and non-price […] Read more »

Attorney General announces mandatory data breach notification laws

May 28, 2013

From the office of the Australian Attorney General: The Commonwealth Attorney General has announced new laws to be introduced into Parliament requiring businesses and organisations to inform individuals when a data breach involving their personal information has occurred. Attorney General Mark Dreyfus QC made the following remarks: “With businesses and government agencies holding more information […] Read more »

ACCC announces inquiry into access to mobile networks

May 27, 2013

From the ACCC: The ACCC has announced a public inquiry into whether it would be preferable to extend, vary or revoke the domestic mobile terminating access service (MTAS) declaration, or whether to make a new declaration. The MTAS is a service offered between competitors so that calls on different mobile networks can be connected. Mobile […] Read more »

US Judge suggests evidence that Apple took part in eBook pricing conspiracy

May 25, 2013

From Cellular News: A US Federal Judge has stated that there is likely evidence that Apple had conspired to increase the price of eBooks. Apple has previously refused offers from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle, as part of the DOJ’s ongoing investigation into the pricing of eBooks. At a pre-trial hearing US […] Read more »

ACMA warns AAPT about privacy

May 24, 2013

From the ACMA: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has formally warned AAPT Limited (AAPT) regarding its to protect the privacy of its customers’ personal information as required by the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code (TCP Code). The ACMA initiated an investigation into AAPT following media reports that some of AAPT’s customer data had been […] Read more »

OAIC investigating Telstra data breach

May 20, 2013

From the OAIC: The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has opened an investigation into a data breach that resulted in the publication of Telstra customer’s private information online. Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim issued the following statement: “Telstra has briefed our office about this incident and advised that the documents are no longer […] Read more »

FOXTEL makes undertaking to ACCC over free TV offer

May 16, 2013

FOXTEL Management Pty Ltd has provided the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) with a court enforceable undertaking following allegations that FOXTEL breached the Australian Consumer Law with a free television offer. The undertaking stems from representations made by FOXTEL that customers who subscribed to a 12 month plan between 12 February 2012 and 5 […] Read more »

ACCC – Proceedings instituted against ByteCard Pty Limited for unfair contract terms

April 22, 2013

From the ACCC: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Internet Service Provider ByteCard Pty Limited (ByteCard, better known as Netspeed Internet Communications) alleging that a number of clauses in the ByteCard standard form consumer contracts are unfair contract terms and should be declared void. The alleged […] Read more »

OAIC: Australian Privacy Principles guidance

April 16, 2013

From the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner: The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has released a pair of guidances comparing the proposed new Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) with Australia’s current National Privacy Principles (NPPs) and the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs). The APPs are found in the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act […] Read more »

About Nicholls Legal

Established in 2000, Nicholls Legal is a law firm located in South Melbourne, Australia. We specialize in Technology Law, Communications Law, Intellectual Property Law, Defamation Law, Commercial Law, Startups and Disputes.
We are progressive, client-focused lawyers and have successfully represented clients in the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia.
Our clients vary from individuals and niche businesses, to tech startup companies, large corporates, to government departments and agencies.
Technology & Communications Law is a highly specialized field, requiring extensive expertise and experience in a range of disciplines. These include dispute resolution, contract drafting and negotiation, as well as IT law, commercial law, intellectual property law, privacy law, internet law, trade practices, defamation and regulatory advice.
Nicholls Legal has the expertise and experience to address your needs in all of these areas. Having served ‘in-house’ as Regulatory & General Counsel at a major telecommunications carrier, Matthew Nicholls has earned a reputation as a lateral thinker and as a knowledgeable communications, technology and IT lawyer. As a commercial lawyer, he has produced a number of Australian industry firsts in the areas of e-commerce transactions and telecommunications regulation.