The Single Exit Price legislation introduced by the Department of Health has resulted in an approximate 20% savings for consumers on medicines, according to Board Healthcare Funders (BHF) of Southern Africa. 12 Jun 2008
Microsoft has launched a salvo of piracy lawsuits against computer resellers the corporation claims have sold PCs with pirated copies of Windows and Office pre-installed. Microsoft investigators say they gained several tip-offs from the company's anti-piracy phone hotline as well as its Genuine Advantage verification system. 12 Jun 2008
The US Department of Justice's Antitrust Division has closed its investigation of the joint venture between SABMiller Plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. 9 Jun 2008
The regulatory framework, which will enforce the Energy Conservation Programme (ECP) and penalise consumers who use electricity excessively, is being finalised. 6 Jun 2008
A proposal to scrap VAT on poultry meat products has upset red-meat producers. 4 Jun 2008
It the producer's application is granted, it could have an impact on how anticompetitive complaints are handled in future. 3 Jun 2008
Revision3 isn't planning to sue MediaDefender for taking down its Web site with a denial-of-service attack over the long Memorial Day weekend, even though the network lost a bundle due to the outage. Instead, it plans to send the anti-piracy firm a bill for its trouble -- and a reminder that there's no law against using peer-to-peer file-sharing technology. 3 Jun 2008
When parliament adopts the new Consumer Protection Bill aimed at protecting consumers from harmful practises, South Africans will be amongst the best protected in the world. 29 May 2008
The National Credit Regulator (NCR) lived up to its billing as a consumer watchdog by achieving an impressive 92% success rate resolving 1380 complaints out of 1495 that were logged in the last 12 months. 28 May 2008
The Consumer Protection Bill and its potential impact on the ICT sector elevates the role of service level agreements (SLAs) in future trade. 28 May 2008
For years, the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has granted patents covering e-commerce business methods, and companies have exploited such patents to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. 27 May 2008
The web measurement standards for the UK's national newspaper websites are to be reviewed after rival publishers questioned Telegraph.co.uk's dramatic recent traffic growth, adding 6.3 million unique users in two months. 23 May 2008
All these products are of crucial importance to the poor, and although there is actually no shortage of supply, the prices inflation is putting all of them out of the reach of the very poor. 21 May 2008
Country of origin labelling in terms of the Merchandise Act 17 of 1941 is now being enforced by the authorities and companies or individuals found to be contravening the Act will be penalised. But there are some issues that need to be resolved... 13 May 2008
The ANC-led alliance has called for urgent consideration of the removal VAT on a wider range of foodstuffs, a move likely to be opposed by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel on the grounds that it benefits all consumers and not just the poor. 12 May 2008
Two Massmart executives came before members of Parliament on Wednesday, 7 May, to argue for tobacco retailers to be exempted from one of the anti-smoking law's stringent clauses, which could land the company with a fine of R1 million. 8 May 2008
Pioneer Foods and Foodcorp have been referred to the Competition Tribunal for their alleged role in a bread price-fixing cartel, the Competition Commission has said. The two companies could be fined 10% of their annual turnover for the 2006/7 financial year. 8 May 2008
Retailers are expected to raise an outcry at Parliament's hearings on the Consumer Protection Bill over a product liability clause that seeks to make them liable for consequential damages suffered as a result of the consumption or use of the products they sell. 7 May 2008
The Health Portfolio Committee is to hold hearings on amendments to the Tobacco Control Act to further enhance the control of tobacco products and promote healthy lifestyles. 6 May 2008
There are two types of public transit passengers: those who hate it when other commuters whip out their cell phones and start yammering away, and the yammerers themselves, who feel freedom of communication is a natural right. Some cities have instituted no-phone zones on trains and buses; others have given up. Some enforce bans with fines; others keep it on the honor system. 21 Apr 2008
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