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  • Trust

    Trust

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
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    • Change of Name of Family Trust - $88
    • Change Trustee of Family Trust - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Family Trust - $165
    • Family Trust - Streaming & Bamford Update - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to Allow Change of Appointor and Guardian - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to allow Sole Trustee - $55
    • Family Trust - Update to Exclude Foreign Persons (NSW) - $198
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2008/09 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2009/10 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2010/11 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2011/12 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Single-Use - $121
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
  • Superannuation

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    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Derivative Risk Statement for SMSF - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 15/16 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 16/17 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 17/18 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 18/19 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 19/20 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 20/21 - $65
    • Pension Pack for Self Managed Super - $299
    • Product Disclosure Statement (general) - $66
    • Product Disclosure Statement (Pension only) - $99
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint Administrator - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint an Auditor - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 07/08 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 08/09 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 09/10 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Insure The Members - $33
    • SMSF - Update Rules - $165
    • SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - $220
    • SMSF Restricted Commercial Property Assessment - $695
    • SMSF Restricted Residential Property Assessment - $315
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
  • Estate Planning

    Estate Planning

    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Codicil to change the Executor - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - SA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - WA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial, Personal/Health) - QLD - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - WA - $55
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Will - Married or Defacto No Children - $95
    • Will - Married or Defacto with Children - $95
    • Will - Single No Children - $110
    • Will - Single With Children - $110
  • Commercial

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    • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses - $18
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Debt Recovery Kit - Qld - $44
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
  • Employment

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    • Employment - Termination Letter - $33
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    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
  • Company

    Company

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Adopt Committee Recommendations kit - $33
    • Appoint a Committee kit - $33
    • Appoint an Alternate Director kit - $33
    • Appoint Managing Director & Confer Powers kit - $33
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Change Registered Office kit - $33
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Company (ELodgement) - $631
    • Company Constitution Update - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance - $197
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance - $197
    • Directors Conflict of Interest Kit - $44
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Minutes for Members to Inspect Books - $33
    • Minutes for Resigning Director - $33
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Remove a Managing Director kit - $33
    • Remove and Replace a Director kit - $44
    • Replace Company Secretary kit - $44
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • Transfer of Shares Kit - $0
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
  • Webinars

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    • Webinar On Demand - Fixing Family Trust Deeds - Mistakes made pre and post establishing a Trust - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - How to assist clients with their debt issues - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Introduction to Family Trusts - the basics - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Lawyers and Accountants Duties as Executors - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts 101 - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Three Pillars of an Effective Asset Protection Strategy - $99
  • All documents

    All documents

    • Acknowledgement of Trust (already own asset) - $165
    • Adopt Committee Recommendations kit - $33
    • Advanced Legal Health Check for Businesses - $18
    • Appoint a Committee kit - $33
    • Appoint an Alternate Director kit - $33
    • Appoint Managing Director & Confer Powers kit - $33
    • Buy a House with Friends Agreement - $110
    • Buy Sell Agreement Company - $197
    • Change Appointor and/or Guardian of Family Trust - $110
    • Change of Name of Family Trust - $88
    • Change Registered Office kit - $33
    • Change Trustee of Family Trust - $110
    • Codicil to change the Executor - $99
    • Commercial Lease - $250
    • Company (ELodgement) - $631
    • Company Constitution Update - $99
    • Confidentiality Agreement (Non Disclosure) - $99
    • Co-Owners Agreement - $110
    • Dealing with Forgiven Debts (White Paper) - $55
    • Debt Recognition (including pre-Div 7A Loans) - $33
    • Debt Recovery Kit - Qld - $44
    • Declaration of Trust (before you buy) - $99
    • Demand and Statement of Claim for Debt - NSW - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - VIC - $88
    • Demand and Summons for Debt - WA - $88
    • Derivative Risk Statement for SMSF - $65
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - Compulsory Insurance - $197
    • Director‘s Indemnity Agreement - No Insurance - $197
    • Directors Conflict of Interest Kit - $44
    • Disclaimer - Email - $55
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement - $65
    • Div 7A Loan Agreement for UPE - $55
    • Employment - Conduct Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Employee Expenses Policy - $55
    • Employment - Performance Issues Letter - $33
    • Employment - Request for Medical Information - $33
    • Employment - Termination Letter - $33
    • Employment - Transferring Employee Letter - $33
    • Employment Contract - $99
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - SA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney - WA - $55
    • Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial, Personal/Health) - QLD - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - NSW - $55
    • Enduring Power of Guardianship - WA - $55
    • Family Trust - $165
    • Family Trust - Streaming & Bamford Update - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to Allow Change of Appointor and Guardian - $165
    • Family Trust - Update to allow Sole Trustee - $55
    • Family Trust - Update to Exclude Foreign Persons (NSW) - $198
    • Family Trust - Vesting - $259
    • Forgiveness of Debt - $121
    • Independent Contractors Agreement - $99
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 15/16 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 16/17 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 17/18 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 18/19 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 19/20 - $65
    • Investment Strategy for Self Managed Super 20/21 - $65
    • Loan Agreement (No Security) - $110
    • Minutes for Members to Inspect Books - $33
    • Minutes for Resigning Director - $33
    • Opening Minutes for the Unit Trust - $33
    • Partnership Deed - $220
    • Pension Pack for Self Managed Super - $299
    • Power Of Attorney By Company - $99
    • Product Disclosure Statement (general) - $66
    • Product Disclosure Statement (Pension only) - $99
    • Release of Unpaid Trust Entitlement - $121
    • Remove a Managing Director kit - $33
    • Remove and Replace a Director kit - $44
    • Replace Company Secretary kit - $44
    • Self Managed Superannuation Fund Deed - $149
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint Administrator - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Appoint an Auditor - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 07/08 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 08/09 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Approve Financial Statements 09/10 - $33
    • SMSF - Minute to Insure The Members - $33
    • SMSF - Update Rules - $165
    • SMSF Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangement - $220
    • SMSF Restricted Commercial Property Assessment - $695
    • SMSF Restricted Residential Property Assessment - $315
    • SMSF Subscription - $99
    • Statutory Declaration - $0
    • Terms of Trade (Non ROT) - $132
    • The new small business restructure roll-over rules in practice (White Paper) - $55
    • Transfer of Shares Kit - $0
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2008/09 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2009/10 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2010/11 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2011/12 - $99
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2012/13 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2013/14 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2014/15 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2015/16 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2016/17 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2017/18 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2018/19 - Single-Use - $110
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2019/20 - Single-Use - $121
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Multi-Use - $350
    • Trust Distribution Minutes Library for 2020/21 - Single-Use - $121
    • Unit Trust - $149
    • Unit Trust - Add New Member Kit - $110
    • Webinar On Demand - Fixing Family Trust Deeds - Mistakes made pre and post establishing a Trust - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - How to assist clients with their debt issues - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Introduction to Family Trusts - the basics - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Lawyers and Accountants Duties as Executors - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts 101 - $99
    • Webinar On Demand - Three Pillars of an Effective Asset Protection Strategy - $99
    • Website Terms And Conditions - $99
    • Will - Married or Defacto No Children - $95
    • Will - Married or Defacto with Children - $95
    • Will - Single No Children - $110
    • Will - Single With Children - $110
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Print Version Back

Claiming Damages when an Ex-Employee "Steals" Confidential Information

Issue: 514 - Thursday, 25 May 2017

In this Issue

  1. Claiming Damages when an Ex-Employee “Steals” Confidential Information

1. Claiming Damages when an Ex-Employee “Steals” Confidential Information

by John Wojtowicz (Director - Law Central Legal)

In Bulletin 475 we discussed the effects of s183 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (‘the Corporations Act’) in preventing a former employee from utilising certain types of company information after the termination of their employment. In this Bulletin, we look at how s183 of the Corporations Act and the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) (“the Copyright Act”) can work together to provide remedies against ex-employees who improperly use confidential information obtained during their employment.

Section 183(1) of the Corporations Act states:

(1) A person who obtains information because they are, or have been, a director or other officer or employee of a corporation must not improperly use the information to:
  (a) gain an advantage for themselves or someone else; or
  (b) cause detriment to the corporation.
 

Note 1:     This duty continues after the person stops being an officer or employee of the corporation.

Note 2:     This subsection is a civil penalty provision (see section 1317E).

In addition to the Corporations Act acting as a de facto trade restraint, it can be argued that s115 of the Copyright Act, also provides an additional avenue for obtaining damages against ex-employees who use confidential company information with their next employer.

Sections 115(1) and (4) of the Copyright Act state:

(1) Subject to this Act, the owner may bring an action for an infringement of the copyright.
(4)

Where, in an action under this section:

  (a) an infringement of copyright is established; and
  (b) the Court is satisfied that it is proper to do so, having regard to:
 

 

(i) the flagrancy on the infringement; and
    (ia) the need to deter similar infringements of copyright; and
    (ib) the conduct of the defendant after the act constituting the infringement or, if relevant, after the defendant was informed that the defendant had allegedly infringed the plaintiff’s copyright; and
    (ii) whether the infringement involved the conversion of a work or other subject-matter from hardcopy or analog form into a digital or other electronic machine-readable form; and
    (iii) any benefit shown to have accrued to the defendant by reason of the infringement; and
    (iv) all other relevant matters;
  the court may, in assessing damages for the infringement, award such additional damages as it considers appropriate in the circumstances.

In an age where employees are able to acquire a copy of confidential or copyrighted material quickly with no obvious physical trace, the Court has shown willingness to award additional damages pursuant to s115(4) of the Copyright Act in cases where the defendants behavior is deceitful or easily replicated. The connection between s183 of the Corporations Act and the Copyright Act was illustrated in SAI Global Property Division Pty Limited v Johnstone.

Application of s 115(4) of the Copyright Act in SAI Global Property Division Pty Limited v Johnstone [2016] FCA 1333.

In this case, SAI Global Property Division Pty Ltd (“SAI Global”) employed Mr Johnstone as a business development manager. Mr Johnstone terminated his employment a mere three months later, not long before commencing employment with a rival company. SAI Global was concerned about Mr Johnstone’s behavior and discovered that he had electronically transferred confidential information from his work computer to a personal USB stick. SAI Global brought an action against Mr Johnstone for breach of his fiduciary duties under s182 and s183 of the Corporations Act. However, SAI Global also sought damages for breach of copyright under s115(4) of the Copyright Act. This turned out to be a successful tactic and an interesting development in the law of damages for s183 of the Corporations Act.

SAI Global was unable to establish any injury as a result of Mr Johnstone’s breach. As such, they were awarded nominal damages of $1 pursuant to the damages available under the Corporations Act. However, the Court awarded SAI Global $5,000 in additional damages under s115(4) of the Copyright Act because of the flagrancy of Mr Johnstone’s actions and a need to deter similar behavior in the future.

The SAI Global case demonstrates that where the beach of a fiduciary duty does not give rise to any ascertainable injury, the person in contravention may still be required to pay a significant amount in damages under s115(4) of the Copyright Act if the information is the subject of copyright. Copyright protection will be discussed in a future newsletter.

Gold and Platinum members read on for a full case summary of SAI Global Property Division Pty Limited v Johnstone and a table of recent cases.


Platinum Members, click here to view content

Disclaimer: The content of this Bulletin is general information only. It is not legal advice. Law Central recommends you seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this Bulletin

Related Documents:

  • Employment Contract
  • Independent Contractors Agreement
  • Confidentiality Agreement
  • Build a Company (ELodgement)

Related Webinars:

  • Webinar Recording - Employee V Contractor
  • Webinar Recording - Understanding the 2017 Superannuation Changes

 


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