About

Provided by Gilbert + Tobin

Intellectual Property

Protect, manage, commercialise and enforce your IP with Australia’s leading team. We deliver decisive, commercially focused legal solutions trusted by market leaders.

How we can help

We have one of the largest IP teams in Australia, with a standalone IP practice which further sets us apart. This unparalleled expertise helps our Australian and international clients in the consumer electronics, entertainment, software, FMCG, mining and financial services sectors stay ahead. We can help with IP enforcement, brand protection, commercialisation and managing complex IP litigation, significant brand portfolios and strategic licensing agreements. We advise on regulatory issues, copyright, software, trade secrets, R&D and collaboration arrangements. Our experience leading landmark IP cases in Australia, strategic advice, innovative approaches and robust representation ensure our client’s commercial objectives are met with accuracy and efficiency.

Services

  • Confidential information and trade secrets
  • Copyright
  • Defamation and reputational management
  • Designs
  • Domain names
  • IP litigation and enforcement
  • Patents
  • Trademark and portfolio management

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Intellectual Property - Australia

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Gilbert + Tobin is notable for its breadth of skills, advising on transactional and contentious copyright, design, patent and trade mark issues. The team serves an impressive range of both local and global corporations, and is especially known for its prominence in the technology and media sectors, where it advises on gaming, software and online systems. It also possesses expertise in areas as diverse as mining and healthcare. The team is particularly well regarded for its ability to assist clients on IP litigation, and is notably active of late on appellate work. Gilbert + Tobin offers comprehensive skills on IP transactions including issues of royalty and distribution fee disputes, as well as advertising and regulatory compliance.

Work Highlights

  • Gilbert + Tobin acted for REC Solar and its Australian distributors in patent infringement proceedings brought by Hanwha over solar cell technology.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Michael Williams
1
Band 1
Michael Williams is a market-leading IP practitioner with a wealth of experience in advising clients on a diverse range of contentious matters, and with particular expertise in high-profile copyright disputes.

He is very knowledgeable and is certainly an IP leader in the Sydney legal community. 

2
John Lee
2
Band 2
John Lee advises clients on patent litigation, including disputes in the IT, gaming and renewable energy industries.

John Lee is great in all areas.

A very easy-going and calm practitioner.

2
Siabon Seet
2
Band 2
Siabon Seet is frequently instructed across a range of contentious trade mark and copyright mandates, including enforcement and brand protection matters.

Siabon is an excellent lawyer, with the perfect client approach.

3
Lisa Lennon
3
Band 3
Lisa Lennon is regularly instructed on non-contentious trade mark matters by a mixed international and domestic clientele from a broad range of sectors, including media, education, banking and life sciences. She specialises in commercial IP, brand protection and portfolio management.

Lisa provides commercial advice, presented in an easy-to-understand way, with a good summary as well as a more detailed analysis.

4
Chris Williams
4
Band 4

Chris Williams frequently works on patent management and dispute resolutions for clients from the renewable energy and manufacturing industries.

Chris is incredibly passionate and cares deeply for outcomes. He's a great sounding board. 

Ranked Lawyers at
Gilbert + Tobin

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Australia

Intellectual Property: Patents

2
John Lee
2
Band 2
4
Chris Williams
4
Band 4
Intellectual Property: Trade Mark & Copyright

1
Michael Williams
1
Band 1
2
Siabon Seet
2
Band 2
3
Lisa Lennon
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Gilbert + Tobin

Anna Smyth

Michael Williams

Head of Department

Rebecca Dunn

Industries

Provided by Gilbert + Tobin

Aerospace & Defence

Banks

Commercial & Professional Services

Consumer Protection

Education

Energy

Entertainment

FMCG

Financial services

Gaming

Government

Health Care

Industrial Engineering

Insurance

Media

Mining & Resources

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Software & Computer Services

Technology, Hardware & Electronics

Utilities