Competition and consumer law
Mr Brendan Sweeney
6 points * 3 hours per week * First, second semester * Caulfield, In-house * Prohibition: FIN6150
Objectives On completion of this subject students will be able to research and apply the main principles of law affecting the development of products; the pricing of products; the promotion of products; the distribution process (with special emphasis on researching and applying the Trade Practices Act).
Synopsis This subject examines illegal competitive practices. Competitive practices may be illegal because they unfairly disadvantage consumers (for example by deceptive advertising or producing defective products), or because they unfairly disadvantage business rivals (for example by deceptive advertising, unauthorised use of another's patents, trade marks or copyright), or because they harm the competitive process itself (for example price and market rigging agreements, restraints of trade, monopoly abuses, price discrimination and mergers). Much of the subject will be concerned with the provisions of the Trade Practices Act. The subject will attempt to place the laws controlling unfair competitive practices within the wider economic sphere.
Assessment Assignment: 40% * Final examination (open-book 3 hours): 60%
Prescribed texts
Sweeney B Marketing law course notes Syme Department of Banking and Finance
Trade Practices Act (Cth) 1974