Australia: Taxation on Subsequent Transfer of Art

The Resale Royalty for Visual Artists Act 2009, which was passed by the Australian Senate into law last week (November 26th) will mean Australia’s visual artists will receive a portion of the proceeds from the resale of their…

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Canada: Policing Canadian Companies Actions Aboard

In quite staggering fashion, and on the basis of a private members bill no less, the Canadian House of Commons is considering a  bill to withhold federal investment dollars (in the form of loans and loan guarantees from…

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Ireland: Top US Venture Capitalist – Tim Draper

This video interview of Tim Draper by the Irish web site Business and Leadership, examines how the methodology for successful technology start ups can be emulated in other markets and jurisdictions.  Tim Draper provides wonderful, real world insight…

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Australia: Tax Legislation Growing at Unprecedented Rate

Australia passed legislation, adding 9042 pages of tax laws to the books last year.  That is more new tax legislation than has been seen in that country over whole decades.  This sort of rampant legislative expansionism, results in…

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Russia / EU: Patent Harmonization

For businesses with significant intellectual property assets, seeking to protect those assets in multiple jurisdictions is often a very significant challenge.  Intellectual property “harmonization” between jurisdictions assists those business owners, in that it affords common or coordinated protection…

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New Zealand: Least Corrupt Country!

This National Business Review article is interesting on two front.  Firstly, it reveals useful (although not earth shattering) insight into those countries whose governments have taken corruption and the corresponding requirement for transparency seriously.  Secondly, it sets out…

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UAE: Full Foreign Ownership of Corporations Now Closer

According to the statements of UAE Ministry of Economy senior officials, industrial companies may be the first to be permitted to be owned, 100% by foreign entities.  The law now requires foreigners to have an Emirati as a…

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Slovakia: Following Russia’s Lead

The Slovakian Parliament has pasted a new law that stipulates that any firm employing more than 500 employees which is important for the security of the state, protection of public health or operates in so-called network industries can…

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Zimbabwe: Wholesale Nationalization

Remarkably, Zimbabwe’s government has proposed that “indigenous Zimbabweans” take 51 percent ownership of all foreign companies, including mines and banks, according to a draft law seen by Reuters Friday.  Pursuant to the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment law (2007),…

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Qatar: Set to Rival New York, London and Hong Kong?

The emirate of Qatar has established the Qatar Financial Center (“QFC”), with the objective of creating a finanicial platform, to rival the Dubai International Financial Center, and to ultimately attain the same standing as New York, London and…

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