Australia

Sydney-based commercial firm Addisons advises on trademark protection and enforcement as well as commercialization and licensing of trademarks, copyrights and patents with a special focus on media. It is also involved in intellectual property litigation, oftentimes including cross-border components. Its specialists in the IP and Media practice have advised some of the most prominent brands including the Australian Associated Press, Dymocks, Nintendo and Mastercard International. Among the key practitioners is Donna Short, who has taken on many new major international clients such as Schroders and leading Australian clients such as Temple & Webster. The firm’s clientele also includes Mitsubishi Electric Australia, Playboy Enterprises International, Formula One Group and Virgin Enterprises. Former partner Karen Hayne has left the firm to form Omoi IP. 

Sydney-based Allens is known for an acclaimed practice with expertise across the full gamut of intellectual property matters. The firm has maintained an integrated alliance with Linklaters since 2012. IP practice leader Miriam Stiel is a member of the Enforcement Committee of the International Trademark Association and the AI & New Emerging Technologies. The firm has acted in Federal Court proceedings on behalf of Wesfarmers in relation to allegations of copyright infringement and misleading and deceptive conduct. The firm was named copyright firm of the year at the 2023 Asia IP Awards. 

Ashurst’s intellectual property team provides a complete range of contentious and non-contentious specialist IP services. The firm has an excellent reputation for providing cutting-edge advice on strategic IP matters, acting for some of the world’s leading companies. The full-service firm has over 375 partners among 1,600 lawyers and staff in 25 offices throughout Australia and the Pacific region to provide corporate services in conjunction with IP support. Joanna Lawrence has been named a partner-elect in the IP practice at Ashurst in Melbourne. Other key members of the team are Lisa Ritson, Anita Cade, Kellech Smith, Stuart D’Aloisio and Nina Fitzgerald. Paul Jenkins, who is based in Sydney and London, is the firm’s global chief executive officer. 

Key contacts at global firm Baker McKenzie include Anthony Foley, Robert Arnold and Anne-Marie Allgrove, a Sydney-based lawyer who is the national managing partner of the firm’s Australian offices. The firm also has offices in Melbourne and Brisbane.  

Commercial law firm Banki Haddock Fiora provides intellectual property, technology and media law services. The firm is noted for representing global clients such as Pfizer, Nestle and Costco. Cofounding partners Peter Banki and Kate Haddock are well-regarded for their experience in the publishing, digital and media industries, while Richard Fiora has more than 25 years’ experience in commercial transactions and corporate issues.  

Biopharmalex is an independent, Melbourne-based law firm providing IP services, regulatory advice, and advice on consumer and marketing law, competition law, and commercial agreements, all aimed at companies and inventors in the life sciences space. Founder Wayne Condon has four decades of experience in IP litigation in Australia and New Zealand, the past two decades focusing on life sciences; he was a partner at several Australian law firms, including Griffith Hack.  

Full-service international firm Bird & Bird has a strong presence in Australia with over 50 legal experts based in Sydney. Shane Barber, managing partner in Australia, is an expert in communications, media and technology, and is a lead partner of the firm’s Australia corporate law and media law groups with a focus on technology and communications.  

Established in 1833, Clayton Utz has about 163 partners and 1,250 support staff in its Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Darwin offices. Known for its innovative approach, the firm has clients across the world including companies in the banking, financial, mining, power and utilities, manufacturing and accounting sectors as well as government institutions. They include businesses belonging to the Top 100 Australian companies, 250 federal and state government departments, agencies and organizations. 

Commercial law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth has a strong focus on the protection and commercialization of IP assets. Its services include commercialization and licensing, copyright and designs, domain name disputes, franchising, geographical indications, intellectual property and patent litigation, trademarks and branding, misleading conduct and passing off, among others. Key contacts include partners Frances Wheelahan and David Fixler in Melbourne, and Odette Gourley in Sydney.  

Davies Collison Cave was acquired by QANTM IP in 2016 and are now part of the Australian Securities Exchange-listed company. Principal Marion Heathcote received INTA’s 2019 President’s Award; she specializes in trademark work, and with her scientific qualifications, she has developed an expertise in geographical indications and agroeconomic and ecology issues. The team provides the full range of trademark services, from prosecution and portfolio management to working with the Australian Border Force, from plant name protection to oppositions and cancellation actions. DCC was named trademark firm of the year at the 2023 Asia IP Awards. 

Deloitte Australia, perhaps best known for its audit capabilities, scored big when it landed Frances Drummond, former global head IP at Norton Rose Fulbright, for its IP advisory service. Drummond, a Sydney-based principal at Deloitte, specializes in intangible asset and intellectual property strategy and governance. 

Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, has been expanding its IP offering in Australia and the Asia Pacific. After formalizing its combination with several offices of the near-century-old Australian law firm Gadens in December 2016, the firm now has offices in Sydney, Perth, Port Moresby and several other countries around the globe. In addition to Sydney and Perth, the firm also has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. Its roster of clients includes players in the financial services, real estate, resources, technology and retail industries. 

DLA Piper is a global law firm with close to 500 IP professionals in more than 24 countries; its Australia offices represent a third of the AXS 100 companies and their subsidiaries in IP and other commercial issues. The firm’s intellectual property and technology practice covers trademark and copyright, patent litigation, patent prosecution and strategic patent counseling, cybersecurity, data privacy, protection and security, commercial contracts, franchise, and media, sport, gaming and entertainment, among others. 

With a history of 60 years in Australia, independent firm FB Rice provides coverage across all aspects of IP including patent preparation, filing and prosecution; infringement, clearance and validity search; trademark filing and prosecution. The award-winning firm comprises IP specialists from a wide range of innovative technologies and industries including biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, medical technology and computer and electrical sciences and all industries across trademarks. The firm also offers corporate services to help clients maximize R&D investment through its R&D Tax Consulting Team. Partner Michael Seifried is recommended for his trademark work while Ian Rourke and Connie Merlino are recommended for their patent practice. Patrick McManamny is another key practitioner. 

Specialist IP firm FPA Patent Attorneys was acquired by QANTM IP Limited in 2016. The firm has leveraged its position as part of that group to expand its network from Melbourne and Sydney to also include Singapore. The firm is loaded with technical experts in a range of industries, including mining and resources, energy, pharma, biotechnology, industrial chemicals, food and beverages, construction, medical technologies and others. Key contacts for patent prosecution work at the firm include Karen Bentley, Chris Bird, Adam Denley, John Dower, Carl Harrap and Stuart Irvine. 

All-purpose law firm Gadens has offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Its experienced IP lawyers assist rights owners and users to develop, protect and manage their intangible assets, including inventions, brands, business secrets, copyrights, software, franchises, contracts, licenses and reputations. The firm’s clientele – from startups to multinationals – spans a wide range of industry sectors that include financial services, food and drink suppliers, commercial services, consumer product manufacturing, technology, real estate and telecommunications. 

Gilbert + Tobin is a leading independent corporate law firm with a focus on evolving market sectors; it has a team of over 20 lawyers practicing exclusively in IP law to serve clients in sectors from consumer electronics, entertainment and FMCG to mining and financial services. The firm specializes in IP enforcement but also advises on copyright, patent, brand protection and trademark, false advertising, breach of confidence, database protection, commercial licensing, product liability, cybersecurity and anti-counterfeiting. Key practitioners include partner Kate Harrison and partner John Lee, who heads the patent sub-practice within the IP group. 

Founded in 2021, GLMR, formerly known as LMW IP, is a team of experienced patent attorneys who work in a broad range of technology areas. The firm name derives from the surnames of its shareholders: Edward Genocchio, Michelle Lee, David Müller-Wiesner and Simon Reynolds. All are patent and trademark attorneys. The firm, based in Sydney, also provides advice on design law. Genocchio is one of the most senior registered patent and trademark attorneys in the region, with more than 25 years of experience. Prior to becoming a patent attorney, Müller-Wiesner was a co-inventor for a startup in the field of composite materials for high-performance road bikes; he also has extensive experience working with air frames and landing gear. 

Specialist IP house Griffith Hack boasts expertise across the full spectrum of IP matters, and has branches in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane. The firm provides full-spectrum IP-related corporate support. Griffith Hack is now part of IPH Limited, following the acquisition in August 2019 of the Xenith IP Group by IPH. 

Sydney-based independent boutique Halfords IP is a full-service IP firm providing patent, trademark and design services to startups, established businesses, universities and research organizations and other entities. Partner Dan Berger is noted for his work in the medical, nanotechnology, materials and designs sectors, while partner Anthony Cowle is well-regarded for electrical, ICT, medical and designs work. Partner Geoff Davidson handles mechanical, chemical and medical matters, as well as trademarks.  

The IP team at global professional services firm Herbert Smith Freehills has offices around the world, including four in Australia. Partner Sue Gilchrist heads up the IP practice in Australia. Her focus spans patent issues in the technology, media and pharmaceuticals sectors. Linda Evans is regional head of practice – competition, regulation and trade in the firm’s Sydney office.  

The Holding Redlich team, composed of over 500 people including 70 partners, is spread out in its five offices in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns. The firm provides intellectual property legal advice in the development, protection and management of brands; domain names, design and patent licensing and enforcement; copyright; trademarks; agreements; litigation for enforcement and defense, among others. Players in the animation, new media, information technology, construction, wine, clothing, advertising, publishing and finance industries make up the firm’s clientele. 

Brisbane-based boutique firm IP Gateway, a leader in intellectual property law in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, advises on patents in the fields of life sciences, medical devices, EE/ICT and engineering and mining; trademarks; registered designs; and copyright. Principal Wayne Slater is experienced in identifying IP strategies, prosecuting and enforcing patents and designs with particular focus on patent opposition and validity analysis.  

James & Wells provides a full range of IP services in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. These include patents, copyright, trademark, design registration, trade secrets & non-disclosure, plant variety rights, domain names, geographic indications, anti-counterfeiting, licensing and commercialization, international filings and others. Led by managing partner Tim Walden, its team of legal professionals in Australia lends its expertise to assist companies to own and maximize their IP assets not just in Australia but overseas as well.  

Johnson Winter & Slattery boasts of legal expertise combined with commercial and market awareness where services are tailored with the client’s commercial objectives in mind. JWS was established in 1993 as a boutique corporate firm. Over the years, it has risen to become one of Australia’s leading independent law firms for complex transactions and disputes. With special expertise in therapeutic goods and general life sciences, the firm delivers advice on due diligence, brand protection, product labelling, collaborative development projects, divestment and acquisition of IP, new media and e-commerce and licensing, among others. Helen Clarke has joined as partner at the firm’s Brisbane office to expand JWS’s technology, media and telecommunications practice. 

Global law firm Jones Day has 2,500 lawyers scattered in the firm’s 42 locations. Its areas of focus include copyright litigation, licensing and technology transactions; oppositions, nullity and cancellation proceedings; patent and trademark due diligence and valuation; patent litigation; patent prosecution and portfolio counseling; trade secret litigation and counseling; trademarks, design patents and false advertising litigation; and others. Anthony M. Insogna heads its global IP practice. The firm has Australian offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. 

K&L Gates boasts some 300 lawyers in Australia, including those handling intellectual property and related matters. Jonathan Feder leads the firm’s Australia IP group from Melbourne, where he brings experience in a broad range of legal areas relating to IP, including registration of trademarks and designs, trademark and design enforcement, copyright protection, trade protection and licensing. Feder and his team have acted for clients in numerous leading IP cases in the Federal Court of Australia, including Elwood Clothing v. Cotton On Clothing, Seafolly v. City Beach and numerous cases for the G-Star group of companies. In 2022, the firm did trademark prosecution work for health food company Sanitarium, Cricket Australia, Australian Football League and the National Basketball League, among other IP-related work. In the same year, the firm filed 429 Australian trademarks and over 921 trademarks globally.  More than half of the firm’s global IP lawyers are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In 2021, K&L Gates launched the K&L Gates IP Agency, a Chinese trademark agency which now allows the firm to file and prosecute trademark applications directly with the China National Intellectual Property Administration.  

Global law firm Kennedys has offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. While the firm is perhaps best-known for its insurance work, it is also strong in dispute resolution and advisory services. In May 2022, Nicholas Blackmore was promoted to partner in the firm’s Melbourne office, where his practice covers data privacy, cyber insurance, general commercial and corporate, and technology. He also leads Kennedys’ APAC cyber risk group and works with clients from the firm’s Hong Kong office. 

Keypoint is a full-service national law firm with specialized IP, data protection and privacy, franchising and retailing, music and technology practices. In 2023, UK music lawyer Nick Weaser joined the firm in Melbourne; he advises a diverse range of artists, producers, songwriters and managers and has extensive experience representing clients in the Australian music industry, as well as in the UK, Europe and the United States. Kate Hynes also joined the firm as consulting principal in Brisbane; she is a corporate and commercial lawyer with a niche in film, television and digital games. Hynes previously led the legal, business affairs and corporate regulatory function for Hoodlum, an Emmy and BAFTA award-winning film and television production company. 

King & Wood Mallesons boasts more than 140 partners and over 1,100 lawyers across Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Its IP practice covers patents, trademarks, copyright, designs, trade secrets, strategic IP advice and IP disputes. Among the firm’s roster of clients are business establishments in food and agriculture, health and pharma, media/entertainment, technology and energy sectors as well as government and key research and industry bodies. Key practitioners include Bill Ladas and Cate Nagy.  

New Law firm Law Squared has launched its dedicated Privacy + Cyber practice group and the opening of its first New Zealand office. The move solidifies the firm’s reputation for bridging the gap between legal expertise and commercial impact. The Law Squared Privacy + Cyber practice group provides Australian, UK and New Zealand clients with end-to-end privacy and cyber risk management support, including risk identification, breach assessment and notification, incident response planning and management, post-incident review and remediation and cyber insurance coverage. The firm expanded into the UK in July 2022. 

Established in 1905, Macpherson Kelley is a full-service law firm with offices in Brisbane, Dandenong, Melbourne and Sydney. Its IP practice is strengthened by a team of award-winning lawyers who deliver services in the areas of licensing, application, counterfeit goods, confidential information and trade secrets, international protection, IP ownership consolidation and transfer, IP reviews and audits, plant breeders rights, IT advice and others. The firm successfully defended Sitro Group Australia and Turner Leisure Products against Dometic Sweden AB’s attempt to remove two KAMPA trademarks which were registered by the clients in 2010. KAMPA is a trademark of Dometic whose opposition to the non-use applications commenced in 2020. On November 22, 2023, a decision was issued, with only some individual class items removed. Dometic withdrew its other KAMPA applications TM 2137356, 2155979, 2157053. 

Maddocks is an independent Australian firm that works closely with corporations, businesses and governments throughout Australia and internationally from offices in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The firm is noted for its cyber and data resilience work; it also has a strong TMT team, which provides advice in complex technology contracting, including IT and business process outsourcing; telecommunications regulation and commercial matters; and content creation and distribution. Brendan Coady has more than two decades’ experience as a commercial lawyer; his practice focuses on IP, technology and telecommunications; he also advises on competition and consumer law. 

Adelaide-based Madderns assists clients in the management of their IP portfolios, including conducting audits to fully capture and recognize IP assets and providing strategies for identifying risk associated with third-party IP rights. The firm has very strong IP capabilities in IT and electronics, defense technologies, life sciences and medical devices, food, wine and beverages. Partner Tom Melville is known for his commercially-focused approach and has a strong interest in sustainable technologies and medical technologies. Louise Emmett specializes in trademarks and Mark O’Donnell leads the life sciences and chemistry teams. Other leading practitioners at Madderns include Megan Ryder for trademarks, Chris Wilkinson and Stephen O’Brien for ICT/electronics and managing partner Jeff Holman for life sciences/chemistry.  

McCullough Robertson is a full-service, independent Australian law firm with a team of specialist lawyers, associates and paralegals lending a commercial approach to trademark prosecution, advice and enforcement. The lawyers boast of extensive experience in information technology and e-commerce transactions under their belt. These include software licensing, support and maintenance agreements, provision of design and consultancy services, systems integration, outsourcing, distribution agreements, website design and hosting agreements, website rules, web advertising agreements, data management and privacy issues. With more than 4,000 trademarks under management worldwide, the firm has a wealth of experience in both Australian and international filings. The firm prides itself on holistic approach, providing innovative and practical solutions that includes ongoing assistance in relation to portfolio management, enforcement and protection. Among these innovative solutions is the firm’s specialized IP docketing system which ensures clients that their brands, maintenance and enforcement matters are effectively and efficiently managed. Belinda Breakspear, who heads up the firm’s IP practice is a key contact.  

Media Art Lawyers has been in operation for over 20 years, providing practical and commercial legal advice to clients in the entertainment, media and creative spaces including talents, startups and multinationals. Its intellectual property services cover the following: copyright, trademark, trademark and design searches, applications, oppositions, registrations and certification, transfer, licensing and protection among others. Principal partner is Stephen King who practices in all facets of commercial and entertainment law; with a particular focus on music. The firm, the largest boutique entertainment law firm in Australasia, has set up a new office in Brisbane in addition to those in in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. Marcus Walkom, who was made partner at the firm in late 2021, will lead the new office. Walkom has experience in entertainment and commercial law and as a litigator has practiced in Australia and the United Kingdom. 

Based in Brisbane, Michael Buck IP is a patent and trademark attorney firm with an IP practice that dates back to 1994. Its client base is made up of local and international companies, startups, individual inventors, educational institutions and research bodies from around the globe. The firm counts among its services the preparation of patent applications for highly technical inventions. The firm also specializes in registered designs. Its leading practitioners are Geraldine Rimmer, who was elevated to principal in July 2021, for trademarks and Andy Mukherji and Michael Buck for patents. Rimmer is experienced in contentious areas such as oppositions and dispute resolution and handling hearings before the Australian Trade Marks Office. The firm successfully acted on behalf of HABITEC in HABITEC v. HABITECH where the former successfully opposed HABITECH in the field of environmental items such as nesting boxes for animals. The matter went through all evidentiary stages and to hearing, with a successful outcome for HABITEC. 

Leading national law firm Mills Oakley in 2019 launched an IP practice in Melbourne with the hire of Steven Wulff, who specializes in strategic IP protection and counseling startups and tech firms. Wulff has since left the firm to launch his own boutique, but he leaves behind a strong IP practice covering a wide range of issues with focus on patents, copyright, trademarks, breach of confidence, Australian Consumer Law issues and IP licensing. In particular, the firm delivers services in trademark filing, brand protection and portfolio management; patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret litigation; oppositions and hearings; IP commercialization, licensing and acquisition/disposal, among others. Lisa Egan, who has specialized in IP law for more than 20 years, has joined the firm in Melbourne as a partner. 

Sydney-based multinational professional services firm MinterEllison positions itself at the conjunction of legal services and technology. Leading IP specialists include senior consulting lawyer Maria Ho and partner Lisa Jarrett. Andrew Cunningham, the firm’s Sydney-based managing partner for consulting solutions and innovation, is now retired after more than 30 years with the firm. 

Norton Rose Fulbright has an IP team of more than 50 professionals spread across offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane. Its clients include major brands and smaller companies from the hospitality and travel, financial institutions, banking, insurance, food technology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, information technology, entertainment and broadcasting sectors. Former global head of IP Frances Drummond has joined Deloitte in Sydney as a principal in its IP advisory practice.  

Karen Hayne has left Addisons to open her own boutique, Omoi IP. The firm takes its name from Omoikane, a Japanese Shinto god of wisdom and intelligence, qualities Hayne possesses in spades. Hayne also has more than 25 years of experience acting for some of the world’s best-known brand names, as well as Australian businesses ranging from startups to iconic, established brands. The firm has launched with offerings including trademarks, IP disputes and enforcement, anti-counterfeiting and customs work, domain names, designs and training, including in-house IP management. The firm is acting on behalf of Virgin Enterprises Limited for trademark filings, oppositions and prosecution issues and various infringement matters, among several other clients. 

Pearce IP is one of the newest IP law firms operating in Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 2017 by executive lawyer, patent and trademark attorney Naomi Pearce, it is the only leading IP firm in Australia certified to be women owned. Pearce, who serves as CEO, is a market-leading IP professional with over 27 years of experience and a background in molecular biology/biochemistry. She acted for Prosegur Australia Pty Ltd in its opposition against five of Linfox Armaguard’s flagship retail brands related to ATMx. The matter was heard in January 2023. Shortly after, the companies, both players in the financial industry, merged in September 2023. Following the merger, Linfox Armaguard transferred its subject marks to Pearce IP. 

Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Geelong, Hobart and Adelaide. The POF Group includes three entities: a patent and trademark attorney firm, an in-house law firm focusing on litigation and IP agreements, and a specialist investigations company. Its services cover patents, trademarks, designs, copyright, plant breeder’s rights, IP commercialization, IP research and IP portfolio management. Its 23-plus partners help manage client’s portfolios across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Southeast Asia. 

Pizzeys, part of the IPH Limited group, operates in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Several of its attorneys boast of multi-jurisdictional qualifications and expertise as well as years of experience working at IP Australia, the Australian Patent and Trade Mark Office – either in executive positions or as patent examiners. One of them is principal Lars Koch in Canberra, who has experience as deputy commissioner of patents at the Australian Patent Office, as well as Supervising Examiner of Patents and Director of Patent Training at the office.  

Simpsons has built a strong reputation as an intellectual property and entertainment law practices. Director Adam Moxon Simpson has litigated the rights to music and lyrics, including the Australian classic “Love is in the Air” and the Twisted Sister 1980s rock anthem “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” Director Jules Munro has represented a leading lifestyle and media celebrity in connection with TV productions, ambassadorships, brand protection and assisting with media relations and brand integration business advice; he is an active volunteer with the Arts Law Centre of Australia, providing free legal advice to members of the Centre in relation to the arts and entertainment industries. 

Sparke Helmore is a firm with more than 700 people working from eight offices across Australia. Sydney-based Shannon Platt is the national service line leader of the IP team with more than 20 years’ experience representing clients in IP disputes in courts and litigation arising from misleading and deceptive conduct, breach of confidence and protecting trade secrets. The firm’s clientele covers diverse industries that include industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, furniture, creative arts, fashion, construction, hospitality and hotels, banking, IT, FMCGs, engineering, telecommunications, Australian Commonwealth, State and local government, among others. The firm acted for Community First Credit Union (CFCU) when it intended to rebrand from being a credit union to a bank and Bendigo Bank, owner of trademarks “COMMUNITY BANK”, successfully opposed CFCU’s registration of the marks “COMMUNITY FIRST BANK” and “COMMUNITY FIRST MUTUAL BANK.” The firm was successful in 1) its appeal from the Registrar of Trade Marks’ decision in the opposition by Bendigo Bank and 2) a revocation action against Bendigo Bank’s “COMMUNITY BANK” trademark. Bendigo Bank relied on this mark to oppose CFCU’s applications for the “COMMUNITY FIRST” marks. In July 2020, the firm merged with Laycock Burke Castaldi, with national practice group leader Julien Castaldi bringing substantial IP experience to the merged firms.  

Spruson & Ferguson companies are incorporated entities owned by IPH Limited, a publicly listed holding company for a number of IP professional services brands operating across Asia. The team is mostly made up of professionals with solid, real-world experience in science, engineering, legal, defense, telecommunications, ICT, electronics, computing and finance, thus boosting their capabilities of delivering effective, insightful solutions to their clients. Simon Potter is managing director for Australia; he has also overseen the development of the firm’s chemical and life sciences patent team in Australia. The firm works closely with Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers, which handles litigation for the group. The firm acted for McDonald’s Australia in Federal Court proceedings against Hungry Jack’s – known elsewhere as Burger King – due to infringement issues in connection with the BIG MAC and MEGA MAC registered trademarks. The case also involved an additional claim of misleading and deceptive comparative advertising. The firm was named patent firm of the year at the 2023 Asia IP Awards. 

Intellectual property work at Thomson Geer is handled by the IP, Technology and Regulatory department. The firm acts for major Australian and global brands in protecting, commercializing and enforcing intellectual assets, handling both front-end and back-end work. The firm acted for two streaming services and their directors in copyright infringement proceedings commenced by APRA AMCOS in the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of various record labels, and assisted Queensland University of Technology with the global licensing of its QCAV-4 banana, the world’s first genetically modified banana to be approved for commercial production. Partner Kerry Awerbuch and her team have joined the firm from Gadens, including special counsel Madeleine McMaster.  

Wayne McMaster, a Melbourne-based firm named for the long-time Australian IP lawyer of the same name, is noted for providing IP protection strategies for new and developing technology, assessing existing patent portfolios and providing patent infringement and invalidity opinions. McMaster has managed numerous major patent litigations in the Federal Court and High Court, as well as patent oppositions at IP Australia; he has more than 35 years of experience in cases such as Mylan v. Sun Pharma, Merck v. BMS and ESCO v. CQMS. 

Independent IP specialist Wrays celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding last year. The firm fashions itself as a patent and trademark service, law firm and corporate advisory service, providing a holistic, end-to-end IP solution. Principal Richard Baddeley comes highly recommended, and his chemical engineering background gives him a leg up in many disciplines; he has represented a multinational energy company’s patent and trademark interests in Australia for more than 20 years; completed numerous patent drafting, prosecution and opposition assignments in hydrocarbon exploration and production, extractive metallurgy including biohydrometallurgy, nickel, copper, uranium and gold hydrometallurgy; and managed IP assignments in renewable energy and innovative agricultural methods. The firm has other experts in consumer goods, agribusiness, chemicals, medical technology, life sciences, energy, food and beverage, IT and resources. 

Former Dentons partner Steven Wulff has launched Wulff Partners in Melbourne, where he focuses on patents, trademarks and commercialization.