Australia

Firm overview

Norton Rose Fulbright in Canada is unique in its ability to provide seamless IP advice on a truly national and global scale. We have one of the few IP practices with such a designation in Canada covering IP professionals in each of Québec City, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. The integration of Bull Housser Tupper was completed on January 1, 2017 and has added a particular depth in trademark prosecution and litigation, anti-counterfeiting, and trade secrets. 

Litigation practice:
The team of IP litigators at Norton Rose Fulbright is ranked among the best in Canada. We provide offensive and defensive litigation counsel in all areas of intellectual property, including patents infringement and impeachment actions under the Patent Act and pursuant prohibition proceedings and section 8 damages actions under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance Regulations), copyrights, trade-marks, trade-mark oppositions, trade secrets, counterfeit enforcement, and industrial designs. The team is particularly well known and regarded for its patent litigation work for pharmaceutical clients. Our roster of innovative pharmaceutical clients for which we act in litigation is second to none in Canada. As pharmaceutical patent disputes represent a significant part of patent litigation in Canada, our team is extremely active in this area. The patent litigation practice also includes mechanical patents, medical devices and oil and gas patents, among other technologies. More recently, several new partners with leading practices in trademark and copyright litigation have increased our capabilities, successes and client base in this area. 

Patent practice:
Norton Rose Fulbright's Canada patent attorneys and agents have highly specialized degrees and provide comprehensive intellectual property advice and global portfolio strategy. We handle the Canadian and global patent work for a stellar cross section of Canadian and international clients. Our Canadian Patent Centre of Excellence complements notably the patent expertise within Norton Rose Fulbright in the United States.

We are one of the largest patent filers in Canada with a particular emphasis on drafting original patents and global portfolio strategy, as evidenced by the fact that we are consistently one of the top PCT filers in Canada. We are often selected over our competitors because our patent prosecution expertise is unrivalled and works seamlessly with our disputes and regulatory lawyers to provide strategic and holistic approach to patent portfolio management. 

Trademark practice: 
We assist clients with all aspects of the branding process. This includes providing overall branding strategy, the drafting and prosecuting of trade-mark applications, the provision of advice regarding availability and registrability of marks in Canada and globally. Our team provides strategic trade-mark advice including portfolio review, infringement surveillance, and advice on legal issues connected with introducing products and services to the market, such as branding, product information and advertising. We assist clients with all aspects of brands expansion into social media including acquisition of domain names, and enforcement of brands on all social media channels globally. Our litigation team acts for clients in opposition proceedings, infringement proceedings and expungement proceedings and trade libel actions. 

Copyright practice:
Our copyright team has expertise in all aspects of copyright law including clearance, acquisition and registration, infringement and litigation, due diligence, licenses, assignments and transactional issues. We act for copyright owners working in various industries such as film, television, video, music, art, fashion, literature, software and evolving media including telecommunications and the Internet. Similarly, our trade-marks team works with clients to acquire, commercialize and safeguard their brands, including logos, product or container shapes and packaging. We advise on all aspects of the selection, registration, commercialization and protection of rights related to trade-marks and brands. We are regularly called upon to advise on the copyright aspects of advertising and marketing campaigns. Clients consistently call upon our professionals for wide industry coverage, the shared experience between the team and our large panel of services. Our litigation lawyers are also active in copyright disputes at both the trial and appellate levels in the software, media, communications, and entertainment sectors with clients including film studios, software and gaming developers, telecommunications companies, the television industry and the music business. We have extensive experience representing rights holders before the Copyright Board and assisting in the enforcement of tariffs, as well as in anti-counterfeiting mandates for fashion enterprises and standards organizations, including border seizures and rapid enforcement campaigns. 

Commercial IP practice:
The IP team handles a wide range of commercial transactions relating to all areas of intellectual property. For example, our commercial IP team has assisted a major financial institution in developing key collaboration agreements, developed and negotiated licensing agreements with other financial institutions, developed blockchain consortium agreements, and very complex IP co-existence and ownership issues.

Last updated 31st July 2018

Firm overview

Madderns is a leading, privately-owned Patent and Trade Mark Attorney firm that protects the intellectual property assets of innovative businesses, organisations and individuals. Headquartered in Adelaide but reaching across Australia and internationally, our experienced team of attorneys provides highly-specialised intellectual property services and advice to enable our clients to secure and defend their brands and technologies. As intellectual property specialists, we work closely with our local and international clients to identify their unique needs and protect their interests in Australia, New Zealand and other overseas markets. For more than 50 years, we have supported the varied needs of a diverse client base that ranges from global companies and overseas IP firms to small to medium enterprises and individual innovators. Whether it’s a patent, trade mark, a design or domain name, our experienced team, many having PhD qualifications in their field of expertise, is on-hand to provide strategic and commercially relevant advice to support you in protecting your intellectual property. At Madderns, we’re driven to help you succeed. We build long-term relationships to ensure the intellectual property assets of our clients are protected in their markets.

Firm overview

HIP – AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION

Halfords IP (HIP) is a boutique IP firm based in Sydney, Australia, with some of the most experienced Attorneys in Australia and New Zealand.

HIP has an enviable reputation for excellence as one of the country’s leading specialist firms for providing strategic, commercially focused and practical advice.

HIP represents clients of all sizes and capabilities, from individuals and start-ups through to multinational entities.

EXPERT TEAM – KEY CONTACTS

Patents/Designs

Electrical/ICT - Anthony Cowle - anthony.cowle@halfords.com.au
Mechanical – Chris Atichian – chris.atichian@halfords.com.au
Chemical/Materials – Dan Berger – dan.berger@halfords.com.au

Trade Marks

Aparna Watal – aparna.watal@halfords.com.au

AWARDS:

Consistently ranked as one of Australia’s leading IP firms, its practitioners are consistently recognised for numerous Awards.

Client testimonials (independently obtained) include:
• "They are professional, attentive, always available at short notice, responsive, courteous, easy to deal with, and knowledgeable."
• "They are easily approachable, very knowledgeable and make the IP system easy to navigate. "
• "We value their technical expertise."
• "I have worked with the same partner at Halfords IP (and at other firms before then) for many years and know that he is a safe pair of hands, has an extensive knowledge of the industry and field and a great reputation."
• "The team is responsive, and we value their good pricing and dependability."
• "It seems that their docketing system is very reliable. They always provide us with the progress of the cases in a timely manner."
• "They have good knowledge on national patent law and produce clearly worded reporting letters."
• "We value their competence and promptness."
• "We appreciate the reliable answers and advice."
• "They are professional and communicative."
• "They are prompt and accurate."
• "They are responsive, and I know the people well and trust the advice."
• "They are very attentive and responsive."

ASSOCIATIONS:

IPTA, INSANZ, FICPI, AIPPI, APAA, INTA

Firm overview

At FB Rice, our mission is to inspire our attorneys and staff to best serve our clients as they navigate the complex world of IP.

Since our founding, we’ve been supporting the IP ecosystem to create value and prosperity in Australia and across New Zealand and South-East Asia.

Creating value begins with our world-leading expertise across biotechnology, chemistry, computer and electrical sciences, engineering and medical devices. There’s always an FB Rice team member who can confidently advise clients on the most complex matters.

At the heart of our firm lies our commitment to integrity, client success, and a distinctive personal touch in every interaction. Our independent status ensures we stay firmly client-centric, protected from the shifting influences of external pressures or stakeholders. We’re real people who build genuine partnerships based on trust by being open, approachable, and totally focused on clients’ needs.

We work with a broad range of domestic and international clients including manufacturers, software companies, universities, hospitals, co-operative research centres and research institutes, ranging from start-ups to global corporations.

Our expertise and versatility has led to FB Rice enjoying a significant share of provisional patent filings in Australia and significant growth in national phase filings. We are also often tasked to act in Australian patent oppositions for both patent applicants and opponents, delivering many successful outcomes for both domestic and international clients. Working alongside law firms in a range of matters including litigation support and due diligence also remains an important part of our business.

Our trade marks team has expertise across several industries and company types, from bold startups to established enterprises looking to lead their market. We also offer the highest quality strategic advice to clients who require protection for their industrial designs.

Meanwhile, our Research and Development (R&D) tax consulting division, which supports organisations seeking to benefit from the Australian Government’s R&D Tax Incentive program, demonstrates how we constantly learn in order to better serve clients at all stages of the IP cycle.

We believe creating and maintaining a strong internal culture is integral to serving our clients. We take great pride in our staff and are firm supporters of gender equality, as demonstrated by our inspiring team of outstanding women leaders. We also support diversity and strive to maintain a healthy and balanced work environment for our staff.

Our dedication to IP excellence has earned us industry recognition, including multiple accolades and top-tier rankings. 

At FB Rice we empower innovation, create value, and protect what matters most—ensuring the world’s greatest ideas are safeguarded and strengthened.

Network Memberships: AIPLA, AIPPI, FICPI, INTA, APAA, IPTA, CIPA, IPSANZ, LESANZ, RACI.