Technology
“Excellent knowledge. Easy to work with. Imparts learning.”
— Client Response, Legal Profiles
Lateral, adaptable, responsive thinking.
Change is the defining characteristic of intellectual property and technology - changing technology, changing laws and changing business. This creates complex legal and technological ramifications that companies and government agencies must understand to ensure commercial success.
As the ground shifts and new risks and opportunities emerge, clients need lawyers with exceptional intellectual property and technology knowledge in order to develop solutions that maximise every new opportunity.
Ranked 'Highly Recommended' in Legal Profiles, the national client guide to Australian law firms, Maddocks' intellectual property and technology group assembles lawyers in both disciplines. They are also practising commercial lawyers who assist clients across a range of e-business applications: from developing an online presence, to implementing e-commerce initiatives, acquiring hardware and software solutions and, in the case of the private sector, sourcing venture capital and eventual listings and floats.
Maddocks was also announced the winner of the Professional Services Award at the prestigious 2010 ACOMM Awards. Maddocks was the only law firm to win an award at the 2010 industry event. The award recognises Maddocks' efforts in assisting clients responding to the changing communications landscape, including advising clients in relation to the National Broadband Network.
Our approach is defined by a profound commitment to the projects we undertake and the clients we work with. Open communication, responsiveness, accessibility and teamwork underpin our approach, as well as an overriding focus on achieving beneficial client outcomes.
Expertise and Experience
Recognised as industry specialists.
Maddocks specialises in Internet domain names and their related infrastructure. The firm's ability was recognised when it was appointed to be the sole legal adviser to auDA, the nation's regulating body for Australia's domain name industry (all domain names with an .au suffix).
The firm is described as 'highly competent, efficient, and abreast of current issues' and 'able to communicate complex subject matter in simple terms'.
We regularly advise private and government clients on:
E-business
Online transactions
- electronic offers and acceptances
- enforceability of electronic transactions
- electronic signatures, cryptography and other security issues
- collection of taxes including GST
- Australian Business Number
- digital signature certificates
- terms and conditions for online trading
- legislative compliance (for example, under the Electronic Transactions Acts)
Web sites
- intellectual property rights issues relevant to the digital age (for example, relating to hyperlinking, framing, meta-tagging)
- legal disclaimers
- internal policies and protocols
- web site development agreement
- domain names acquisition and disputes
- trade marks
- 'cyber-squatting' and other trade practices issues
Privacy
- data protection
- collation of public information by public bodies
- legislative compliance
- credit records and information
Online content
- authorisation of infringing materials
- content hosting arrangements
- obligations under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992
- defamation
Use of enabling legislation
- use of electronic documents and media
- electronic production and retention of documents, 'in writing' and signature requirements under the Electronic Transactions Acts
Technology Contracts
- EOI, RFP, RFT and RTT
- software and hardware acquisitions
- financing
- consultancy agreements
- outsourcing
Technology transfer and licensing
- technology joint venture
- development projects
Protection of intellectual property rights
- copyright
- trade mark registration
- design registration
Infringement
- injunctions
Licensing
- IP licensing
- technology/know how licensing
- technical assistance agreements
- research & development agreements
Communications
Legislative compliance
- access regime (including Internet access)
- service provider obligations
- telecommunications legislation and regulations
- misuse of market powers
- broadcasting and content regulations
Contracts
- interconnection issues
- service provider arrangements