The legal implications of intellectual property can be complex – from protecting your IP rights to resolving disputes or commercialising your innovations.
Our IP lawyers combine deep legal expertise with technical and commercial understanding to help you protect, enforce and maximise the value of your IP assets.
Whether your IP has been infringed, you are facing allegations of infringement, or you are involved in a dispute over ownership, our team of expert lawyers will work with you to reach a practical and commercial solution that meets your specific needs.
Beyond enforcement, we support clients with the negotiation and documentation required to commercialise their IP – including helping you develop and implement strategies to monetise your rights, manage risk and secure long-term value. We support your strategic goals by advising on the full range of commercial arrangements relevant to your IP.
We act for businesses, research institutions and individuals across Australia and internationally and bring the legal insight, technical depth and commercial understanding needed to achieve the best possible outcome.
The team has experience across a broad range of sectors and handles disputes and transactions in all areas of intellectual property, including patents, trade marks, copyright, designs, plant breeder’s rights, confidential information and anti-counterfeiting matters.
All of our legal team’s Principals are also registered patent attorneys with qualifications in science or engineering – giving us a unique ability to understand the technology and commercial realities behind your IP. Whatever your innovation, we have the expertise and experience to assist you.
Our IP Law Services
Enforcement and dispute resolution
We assist clients with infringement, validity and ownership disputes across all forms of IP, including patents, trademarks, designs, copyright, confidential information and domain names. Whether you are enforcing your rights or responding to allegations, we work closely with you to identify the most commercially effective path forward.
Our team advises on infringement risks, prepares and responds to demand letters, and represents clients in negotiations, mediations and contested disputes. We understand that IP disputes can be disruptive and stressful, so our focus is on resolving matters efficiently while preserving your rights and commercial objectives. From early-stage strategy through to formal proceedings, we provide pragmatic, tailored advice designed to minimise risk, costs and business disruption.
IP litigation
When litigation is necessary, our experienced IP lawyers provide confident and technically informed representation before Australian courts and tribunals. We act in IP litigation across the Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, State Supreme Courts and on appeal before the High Court of Australia. We also act in contested matters concerning registration of intellectual property rights decided by IP Australia.
We have extensive experience managing complex disputes involving patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and confidential information across a wide range of technologies and industries. Our approach combines deep legal expertise with a strong understanding of the underlying technology and commercial context. We also assist clients with appeals, interim relief and settlement negotiations, always with a focus on achieving a practical and proportionate outcome.
IP oppositions
We represent clients in patent, trade mark, design and plant breeder’s rights oppositions before IP Australia. These proceedings are often critical in determining whether valuable IP rights are granted, maintained or blocked at an early stage.
Our team advises on opposition strategy, prepares and reviews evidence, coordinates expert witness input and appears at hearings. We act for both applicants and opponents, providing clear advice on prospects, risks and commercial considerations. With close collaboration between our IP lawyers and patent and trade marks attorneys, we ensure that legal arguments are supported by a strong technical and evidentiary foundation.
Our goal is to protect your competitive position and resolve disputes efficiently, while maximising the value and enforceability of your IP portfolio.
IP documentation and negotiation
We advise on, draft and negotiate a wide range of IP-related and commercial agreements, including licences, assignments, technology transfer arrangements, R&D and collaboration agreements.
We also assist with confidentiality, consultancy, distribution, manufacturing and software agreements, ensuring that IP ownership and other risk factors are clearly addressed. Our lawyers have deep IP expertise and work closely with technical specialists to ensure agreements accurately reflect the underlying technology and commercial intent.
Whether supporting day-to-day operations or complex transactions, we provide practical, commercially focused advice that anticipates future risks and helps minimise the potential for disputes.
IP due diligence
Intellectual property is often a core asset in business transactions. We conduct comprehensive IP due diligence for clients involved in the investment in, sale or acquisition of businesses or specific IP assets.
Our due diligence reviews assess ownership, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial risks associated with IP portfolios. We identify gaps in documentation, potential infringement issues and steps required to strengthen IP protection before or after a transaction. Acting for both buyers and sellers, we provide clear, actionable advice to support informed decision-making and smooth transactions. Our multidisciplinary expertise ensures that legal, technical and commercial considerations are fully aligned, helping clients protect value and avoid costly surprises.
Anti-counterfeiting and brand protection
Counterfeiting, online infringement and grey market activity can significantly damage brands, revenue and consumer trust. Our experienced team help clients identify and address these risks through proactive and enforcement-focused brand protection strategies.
Our services include cease and desist action, customs recordals in Australia and New Zealand, test purchases, investigations, seizures and litigation against counterfeiters and infringers. We also provide training to customs officials and internal teams to improve detection and enforcement outcomes. As the exclusive Australian and New Zealand partner of REACT, a leading global anti-counterfeiting organisation, we can coordinate international enforcement efforts where required. Our practical, coordinated approach is designed to protect brand integrity and deter ongoing infringement.
Copyright advice and disputes
Copyright issues arise across creative, digital and technical industries. We advise clients on copyright ownership, protection, licensing and enforcement, as well as defending infringement claims.
Our team assists with copyright disputes involving authorship, commissioning arrangements, online use and unauthorised copying. We provide clear advice on infringement risks, available defences and resolution strategies, including negotiation, mediation and litigation where appropriate. We also draft and negotiate copyright licences, assignments and related agreements to ensure rights are clearly defined and commercially effective. Whether protecting original works or navigating complex digital environments, we help clients manage copyright strategically and minimise the risk of future disputes.
