If I cease trading before the new data protection laws come into play, do I have to comply, or does it only apply to active businesses / sole traders?

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into force in May 2016.

There is a two year lead in period to enable businesses to become familiar with the new regime and so the critical date is:

25th May 2018

The law applies to anyone who processes personal data (which includes storage and disposal) in whatever capacity.

How can Crimson Crab help…

June F2 Business Huddle

F2 Business Huddle with Cairn

Networking with a purpose

Friday 9th June 2017 

Midday until 2pm

Denvilles House
33 Emsworth Road
Havant
Hampshire, PO9 2SN

Reputation Matters

Reputation Advocate, Graham Martin from Red Pixel Creative will provide an overview of key elements that are used in graphic design and how they help to bring a successful design together.

If you miss this one the Next F2 Business Huddle is on 14th July 2017.

£14 on the door includes a light lunch and free parking. (Reputation Advocates – £10.)

Read more and book your place..

What do I need in my business letterheads?

From a compliance perspective your clients are entitled to know the details of the legal entity that they are dealing with, especially if a business or trading name is being used. If the legal trading entity is a registered body there are some very specific disclosure requirements.

The information must appear in business letters and electronic equivalents including emails. To give you peace of mind we can check out your letterheads for compliance read more…

Can I do anything now to get ready for the changes in data protection laws?

Yes, it’s really important to get your house in order, ready for the new legislation.

You will need to get to grips with the new rights of individuals, handling subject access requests, consent, data breaches, and maybe even designating a data protection officer.

There is a responsibility to demonstrate compliance and so documenting what personal data you hold, where it came from and who you share it with is an absolute must.

The important thing is to make sure that someone in your organisation takes proper responsibility for data protection compliance in good time and has the knowledge, support and authority to do so effectively.

How can Crimson Crab help? Read more…

Online endorsements

As business owners we know that a positive online endorsement can help sell our products and services.

Checking out blogs, vlogs and other online endorsements is an increasingly common way for people to decide what particular product or service to buy.

It is not illegal for businesses to pay people or publications to promote their products in online articles.

BUT the people that publish such content, both the businesses that want to get their products endorsed and any media agencies that place endorsements all need to make sure that the consumer knows that the endorsement has been paid for.

Misleading consumers may breach consumer protection law. Also the UK Advertising Codes, published by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), contain rules to ensure marketing communications are easily identifiable.

Are my terms and conditions suitable?

There are two main issues here:

  1. using terms and conditions that are not bespoke to your business; and
  2. using terms and conditions that are out of date.

Your business’ terms and conditions should:

  • underpin the provision of good, consistent customer service;
  • give clarity of expectations & payment terms;
  • provide protection for all the parties involved;
  • ensure you meet all the legal requirements for your particular business; and
  • minimise legal disputes

If the worst comes to the worst and you end up in dispute with a client or customer, if they are in writing, they provide great evidence of what was agreed in the first place.

How can Crimson Crab help?

We can provide a free no obligation quote for a bespoke set of terms and conditions. Request a quote.

For a small fee we can review your current terms and conditions and give you a no obligation quote if they need amending. Order a review.

If you operate a consultancy we can supply a standard form agreement suitable for your business read more…

 

 

How is the law on Data Protection changing?

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) will apply in the UK from 25th May 2018.

The government has confirmed that the UK’s decision to leave the EU will not affect their commencement.

They apply to ‘controllers’ and ‘processors’. The controller says how and why personal data is processed and the processor acts on the controller’s behalf. If you are currently subject to the Data Protection Act, it is likely that you will also be subject to the GDPR.

If you are a processor, the GDPR places specific legal obligations on you; for example, you are required to maintain records of personal data and processing activities. You will have significantly more legal liability if you are responsible for a breach. These obligations for processors are a new requirement under the GDPR.

However, if you are a controller, you are not relieved of your obligations where a processor is involved – the GDPR places further obligations on you to ensure your contracts with processors comply with the GDPR.

Read more…

Feedback from Chris Jay Executive Chairman Enable Me

Having recently spent an afternoon with Rob thrashing out an important policy for our charity, his guidance and facilitation were crucial to the finished product and unlike some consultants we have used in the past, he has actually written it on our behalf as well as several other policies in conjunction with us.
As Chairman of Enable Me, it is a huge weight off my mind to know that someone with such competence is supporting us in such an important area. I highly recommend Crimson Crab to all sectors of industry.
 
Chris Jay Executive Chairman Enable Me

Where do I register copyright?

Copyright protects your work and stops others from using it without your permission.

There isn’t an “official” register of copyright works in the UK, unlike Trade Marks.

You get copyright protection automatically, you don’t have to apply or pay a fee, when you create:

  • original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work, including illustration and photography
  • original non-literary written work, such as software, web content and databases
  • sound and music recordings
  • film and television recordings
  • broadcasts
  • the layout of published editions of written, dramatic and musical works

There are other ways of protecting Intellectual Property. Read more…