>Netrider, Netrider.org.au, and Netriders Australia is a legal organisation 
>under ABN 20 358 868 741 and with Victorian Business Name registration and 
>a Trademark on the Netrider name. This has all been communicated to 
>NetRegistry and it's Sales Manager. In addition to netrider.org.au, 
>Netrider is also the legal leasee of netrider.com.au and netrider.net.au


Hi All!

I'm but a humble accountant in public practice, and I'm confused by the 
concept of "entity" in this discussion.

At law, a business name isn't an entity and cannot own property, or lease 
property, etc.  A business name is simply a "trading name".  For example, 
XYZ Pty Ltd or Jim Jones can register the business name "My Business Name" 
and trade as "My Business Name" BUT it is always XYZ Pty Ltd or Jim James 
who is trading.

It is the person (be that a natural person or a company) that's important 
not the business name.

I'm surprised that Netrider isn't an incorporated association.  It seems to 
this accountant that having individuals acting as some form of trustee for 
an unincorporated association is an appropriate structure.  Even more so 
when the cost of establishing an incorporated association is so little.

A domain name, or a business name, or an ABN, simply isn't a "legal 
organisation."

Maybe the association needs its whole structure revisited.

Peace,

Shane