IP Insiders and Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick present the ‘In-House IP Insights Forum’ on Tuesday 12th August 2025.

Prizes

The LinkedIn Prize

We are running a little something extra alongside this year’s In-House IP Insights Forum…

To help extend the conversation beyond the event itself, we’re inviting attendees to share their thoughts, reflections, and moments from the Forum on LinkedIn. Posts can be serious, insightful, humorous, or simply appreciative—and the person who shares the best series posts will receive a $300 gift voucher.

To enter:

  • Be a registered attendee of the 2025 Forum
  • Post publicly on LinkedIn between Monday 4 August and Sunday 24 August 2025
  • Use the hashtags #IPInsights2025 and #IPInsiders

Whether it’s a thought-provoking quote from a speaker, an idea you’re taking back to your team, or a photo of your IP-themed cocktail, we’d love to see what stood out to you. This is about celebrating practical in-house-focused IP thinking – and building community by learning from each other’s experiences.

We’ll announce the winner via LinkedIn and email after the event. In the meantime – have fun, be generous, and we can’t wait to see your posts!

 

The Door Prize

The IP Insiders half-zip jumpers are perfect for the Melbourne weather, and we have four to give away to keep four lucky winners warm this winter.

To enter:

  • Register on the day
  • Stay until the end to see if your name is drawn from the random selector at the networking function.

Winners will be able to choose their colour (black, grey or white) and size preference. Prize is for one jumper per winner.

 

The Feedback Form Prize

We are giving away a $75 gift voucher to one lucky winner who provides us with feedback. Your feedback shapes the future of the In-House IP Insights Forum. We would love to hear from you!
The link to the feedback form can be found here.

 

The “That’s A Great Idea” Prize

Do you have a session idea you’d love to see (or help shape) at next year’s Forum? We’re inviting attendees of the 2025 In-House IP Insights Forum to submit a detailed topic proposal for consideration in next year’s program. The proposal judged to be the most compelling, relevant, and well thought out will receive a $300 gift voucher and a chance to see their idea brought to life in 2026.

What We’re Looking For

We’re not after just a title or idea, we’re looking for a considered, practical, and clearly structured proposal that demonstrates how your topic adds value for the in-house IP community.

Submission Template

Please complete the following:

  1. Proposed Topic Title
    E.g. “Managing Patent Families Across Mixed Market Maturity: Practical Strategies for Resource-Constrained In-House Teams”
  2. Background & Context
    Why is this topic timely or important for in-house professionals?
    How does it relate to current industry trends, legal developments, or known practice challenges?
    What makes this topic meaningful to an in-house audience?
  3. Key Discussion Points / Agenda
    List 3–6 points you propose the session should cover.
    Explain how these points work together to build a cohesive and useful session.
    (We are particularly interested in practical, experience-driven discussions, not just abstract or academic framing.)
  4. Preferred Presentation Format
    How do you envision the session being delivered? You may suggest a blend or invent your own—be creative.
    Examples include:Panel discussion
    Solo or dual speaker presentation
    Moderated roundtable
    Structured debate
    Interview-style Q&A
    Fishbowl format (where participants rotate into the discussion group)
    Problem-solving workshop (live scenario)
    “Unconference” format (participant-driven discussion)
    Lightning talks + facilitated discussion
    Case study walk-throughs
  5. Suggested Speakers (Optional)
    Explain briefly why they would be a strong fit for this topic (e.g. known experience, perspective, prior contributions).
    List any individuals you believe would be great for this session—either to present, facilitate, or comment.
    (You do not need to contact or confirm them—we’ll take care of that if your session is selected.)

How to Enter

  • You must be a registered attendee of the 2025 IP Insights Forum.
  • Submit your proposal in Word or PDF format using the template above.
  • Email your entry to marketing@pof.com.au by Sunday 31 August 2025.

How the Winner Will Be Chosen

A panel of IP Insiders will assess all submissions based on:

  • Relevance and originality of the topic
  • Clarity and completeness of the proposal
  • Practical value for in-house professionals
  • Creativity in format or delivery

The Agenda

9:15am
Registration & coffee

9:45am 
Welcome

10:00am 
Inventorship: A legal fiction? A name game?: The Legal, Ethical, and Practical Dilemma presented by Anna Johnston (WEHI), Robert Kramer (Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP), and Helen McFadzean (Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick)

11:15am 
Morning tea

11:35am 
Executing a Global Trade Mark Strategy – From Start-Up to Internationally Successful Brand presented by Ben Pitt (b.box for kids), and Stefan Ladd (Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick Lawyers)

12:45pm 
Lunch

1:40pm 
Global IP Management: Working with a Multinational Mindset presented by Geraldine Farrell (Orica), Amy Hope (BlueScope), and Rebecca McCrackan (Rio Tinto)

2:45pm 
Afternoon tea

3:05pm
Workshop: Corona Co. vs. Bigzyme Co.: A Tale of Label Licensing, IP Rights and Commercialisation Hurdles facilitated by Gint Silins (Provectus Algae)

4:35pm onwards
Networking drinks

Our Speakers

Anna Johnston
IP Counsel at The Walter Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI)

Anna Johnston is accomplished and experienced IP practitioner and technology strategiser with a PhD in biosciences who has worked in both industry and academia. A registered patent attorney with 25+ years’ experience in protecting and commercialising technologies from research institutes and large pharma and an inventor herself, she is well placed to share insights into inventorship challenges and provide practical guidance to in-house practitioners.

 

 

Robert Kramer
Special Counsel & Law Practice Director at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP

Bob Kramer is a dual-qualified U.S. IP lawyer and Australian solicitor, with 30+ years spent working for U.S. law firms in NY, DC, California, and Sydney. This time includes 7 years in-house at a semiconductor design company in Silicon Valley litigating patent issues that can arise when best-practices are not followed (allegedly). Having worked from Australia for roughly 15 years, Bob is passionate about helping companies manage and strategize cross-border IP issues, and doing the right thing from the beginning.

 

 

Helen McFadzean
Principal at Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick

Helen is a Principal in the Electronics, Physics and IT team at Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick. She has over 15 years of experience working with a wide range of clients, from startups, universities and research institutes to international corporations in Australia and overseas to protect intellectual property assets. With a technical background in Mechatronics Engineering, Helen specialises in many deep-tech areas including AI and robotics, advanced computing, electronics, software, signal processing and medical devices.

 

 

Ben Pitt
Head of IP, Legal and Regulatory at b.box for kids

Ben has been a member of the b.box for kids Advisory Board and has led it’s global IP strategy since its foundation 18 years ago. He moved into the b.box business fulltime 8 years ago as Head of Legal and IP. At b.box, Ben has built a strong portfolio of Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Copyright assets in around 50 jurisdictions covering 75 countries, and continues to evolve and execute b.box’s IP strategy to maintain the company’s competitive edge. He works closely with over 35 specialist IP law firms globally and is active in taking direct action against parties infringing b.box’s IP.  In the past few years, b.box has had thousands of reseller listings removed from a range of e-commerce platforms for infringing b.box’s Patent, Design, copyright and TM rights in China, Australia, EU and other jurisdictions. b.box has also recovered compensation from infringing factories and enforced its rights in Chinese courts. In terms of TMs, b.box has around 350 registered trademark assets (measured by word and/or device by class by jurisdiction) that gives TMs rights in around 75 countries.

Ben has over 25 years’ experience in legal (including IP), investment banking and listed corporates. He started his legal career at Rudd Watts & Stone (Wellington) and headed to London in 1998 to join leading global law firm, Clifford Chance before moving to Deutsche Bank (Legal & Transaction Management).  After relocating to Australia, Ben completed an MBA at Melbourne Business School and moved into investor relations, where he held senior roles with Telstra, Alumina Ltd and Asaleo Care. Ben has a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from Victoria University of Wellington and is a qualified barrister and solicitor in New Zealand.

 

 

Stefan Ladd
Associate at Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick

Stefan is a commercial lawyer specialising in intellectual property. Having worked in private practice for over five years, his experience includes drafting and negotiating IP-related contracts, advising on the IP aspects of large-scale transactions, and supporting businesses to license, protect and commercialise their brands and technology.

In addition to his legal practice, Stefan is also undertaking further study in marketing and brand strategy for the fashion industry. As such, Stefan is particularly passionate about working with clients in creative industries in relation to all aspects of their brand strategy, leveraging both his experience as an IP lawyer and his background in fashion marketing.

 

 

Geraldine Farrell
General Counsel at Corporate at Orica Limited

Geraldine (Gerry) Farrell is a corporate, IP and technology lawyer, company secretary, risk and compliance executive who has spent almost three decades working in both private practice and in-house senior executive roles. She has experience across many sectors but has particular expertise in technology-based industries. After a decade working for animal health and medicinal cannabis start-up companies, Gerry moved to the mining services and technology company, Orica, in 2022. Her role includes working closely with Orica’s global IP management team on IP portfolio management and the development and implementation of IP strategies.

In addition to her executive roles, Gerry has extensive experience reporting to boards and executive committees, as well as over 17 years as a non-executive director or committee member on boards of public and private organisations, including in audit, risk, technology commercialisation, sustainability, planning and building, and governance roles. Gerry has a Bachelor of Science in addition to her qualifications in law, a Master of Corporate Governance, is a Graduate of the AICD and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

 

 

Amy Hope
Global IP Counsel at BlueScope

Amy Hope is a senior in-house counsel and intellectual property specialist with deep expertise in global intellectual asset strategy, governance, and multinational IP portfolio management. Since 2021, she has led BlueScope Steel’s global IP function across its multinational iron and steel making, steel coating and painting, and building components businesses. In addition to advising in relation to all risks, litigation and transactions involving IP, she manages BlueScope’s extensive IP portfolios, drives commercial outcomes from R&D-generated assets, and builds strong intellectual asset governance frameworks to maximise the value BlueScope can derive from her colleagues’ hard work, creativity and bright ideas.

Amy began her career in private practice working in top-tier IP teams across both contentious and commercial matters. She previously led the IP and Customer legal function at Bupa, supporting a wide range of IP, consumer and regulatory matters across Australia and New Zealand. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Biomedical Science (Monash University), a Post-Graduate Diploma of Business Administration (Melbourne Business School), and a Master of Laws (University of Melbourne) focusing on intellectual property and is passionate about building IP awareness and capability within complex multinational organisations.

 

 

Rebecca McCrackan
Chief Counsel Innovation & Technology at Rio Tinto

Rebecca McCrackan is a qualified patent attorney and legal innovation leader at Rio Tinto, where she leads a multidisciplinary team focused on managing Innovation & Technology from a legal and strategic perspective. Her role bridges law, science, and commercial strategy—ensuring that intellectual property, technology partnerships, and legal frameworks actively enable innovation across the business. Rebecca has deep expertise in IP strategy, licensing, R&D collaboration, and joint venture governance, particularly in the context of emerging and transformative technologies. She plays a critical role in structuring complex legal arrangements that support Rio Tinto’s global innovation agenda, including in areas such as low-carbon processing, AI-enabled exploration, and the integration of novel technologies through acquisition.

 

 

Gint Silins
IP Lead at Provectus Algae

Dr Gint Silins is an in-house IP Manager for a diverse range of startup and established companies across the life sciences, healthcare, animal care, personal care, agriculture, agritech, and apparel industries. His responsibilities include the strategic management of IP portfolios, identification and evaluation of IP, conducting FTO and patentability searches, securing IP rights, licensing, performing due diligence, and enforcing IP rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In-House IP Insights Forum Info