Department profile
Gilbert + Tobin

Intellectual Property: Patents

Global Guide 2026 : Australia

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Gilbert + Tobin

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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: Patents - Australia

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.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Gilbert + Tobin acted for CPC in proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia for patent infringement against Apple over biometric technology used in iPhones, iPads and MacBook devices.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team's ability to quickly understand the complex nature of proprietary technology has meant that they were able to deliver a robust but efficient work product, specifically tailored to our needs.

    Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal

  • The team demonstrates exceptional expertise in intellectual property litigation, particularly in complex patent disputes. They are highly responsive and proactive, ensuring seamless communication.

    Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal

  • The intellectual property team at Gilbert + Tobin are an outstanding group of very capable lawyers that bring a wealth of experience and perspective.

    Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Michael Williams
    Michael Williams

    Michael Williams

    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.

    • Michael Williams is excellent, very strong tactically and legally.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal

    • Michael is a very good person to have on your team. He is very good at managing a team of highly talented people.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
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  • John Lee
    John Lee

    John Lee

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

    • John Lee is very good technically and highly experienced in IP law. He has good communication skills and is able to get sophisticated matters across to the client for easy understanding.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
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  • Siabon Seet
    Siabon Seet

    Siabon Seet

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

    • Siabon Seet has an open way of communicating with clients and creates a strong sense of partnership and trust.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal

    • Siabon is an outstanding professional.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
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  • Lisa Lennon
    Lisa Lennon

    Lisa Lennon

    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 Lennon asks the right questions and was responsive and commercial to our clients.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal

    • Lisa is a highly experienced practitioner who is able to quickly identify the commercial objectives that a client is pursuing.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
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  • Chris Williams
    Chris Williams

    Chris Williams

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

    • Chris Williams is an excellent litigator and knows when to hold back and when to push.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal

    • Chris Williams is a highly capable and strategic legal adviser with deep expertise in complex IP litigation. He brings a sharp legal mind and a calm strategic presence to complex matters.

      Intellectual Property: Patents respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Gilbert + Tobin (5)

Australia

Members

Provided by Gilbert + Tobin

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