Notice by SMS: the Law.
We have all received SMSes from businesses offering their services to us. Often when these messages are unsolicited we consider them to be spam and block the number, or even complain to WASPA or perhaps the DMASA about them. But if we are in a commercial relationship with one of these businesses, can they use more...
Safeguarding Payment for Creative Services
I am often asked to assist web designers and other creative professionals who have not been paid for work produced for a customer. The designer is often left with no reward for his hard work, while the customer has the benefit of a completed product. There are a few practical steps that a designer can more...
When can an employer intercept employee communications?
Communication is central to modern business, and employers provide their employees with communications facilities to allow them to operate effectively. These facilities usually include access to a telephone and email, but as technology progresses, new media such as instant messaging, VOIP and social media are becoming available to employees. While new technology brings great benefits more...
Employees Who Write Software: Who Owns the Copyright?
In 2006 I distributed a short guide to software development and copyright, dealing with amongst other things ownership of the copyright in a computer programme written by an employee in the course of his employment. At the time the law on the matter was somewhat uncertain, but the recent case of King v SA Weather more...
Can you put a Business’ Standard Trade Terms on a Website?
I was recently asked for my opinion on whether a business a using paper service order form could save space and hassle by referring on the form to standard terms located on the business" website. It seems natural that in this day and age this should not only be possible but actually encouraged, but the more...