Christopher Young > MinterEllisonRuddWatts > Auckland, New Zealand > Lawyer Profile

MinterEllisonRuddWatts Offices

MinterEllisonRuddWatts
PWC TOWER, 15 CUSTOMS STREET WEST
PO BOX 105 249
AUCKLAND 1143
New Zealand
Visit website 64 9 353 9700 64 9 353 9701

Christopher Young

Christopher Young photo
+64 9 353 9910 [email protected] View profile

Work Department

Corporate and Commercial - Intellectual Property

Position

Partner

Career

Christopher is a widely recognised intellectual property expert with an extensive international practice and network. He is known for his technical expertise and pragmatic advice. Consistently ranked as a leading IP lawyer in legal directories, he assists with all aspects of IP through its lifecycle including development, protection, transfer, enforcement, and commercialisation. He has significant experience in media, film, and television production, and regulatory work in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors.

Head of the firm’s IP team, Chris specialises in IP, brand strategy, trade marks, commercial IP, licensing, franchising, marketing, sponsorship, privacy, IP disputes, enforcement, and IP audits. Chris has significant expertise handling the IP aspects of M&A and other corporate transactions.

Commercial IP is a key part of Chris’ practice. He has more than 20 years’ experience in licensing and commercialisation, franchising, and commercial arrangements. He routinely advises on and develops strategy for IP aspects of corporate transactions.

Recognised for local and international brand strategy and managing trade mark portfolios, he manages risks, launches new brands, develops strategies to commercialise, protects and enforces brands, trouble shoots problems, and handles counterfeits. He is experienced with sponsorship, marketing, advertising, privacy, consumer protection, and other regulatory areas.

Both local and international clients benefit from Chris’ breadth of experience. He takes time to understand his clients’ businesses and develops strong and ongoing relationships as their trusted adviser. His clients operate in numerous industries including FMCG, fashion/apparel, publishing, food and beverage, liquor, advertising and marketing, retail, TMT, media, aviation, automotive, banking and financial services, entertainment, agriculture/horticulture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, building, forestry, education, health and ageing, transportation, and energy.

Languages

English

Memberships

Co-Chair, INTA Asia-Pacific Bulletin Sub-committee (2019-2023)

Director, Pharmaco New Zealand Limited and Pharmaco Australia Pty Limited

Member, International Trademark Association (INTA)

Member, International Bar Association (IP and Entertainment Committee) (2017-2022)

Member, Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand

Member, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand

Member, American Chamber of Commerce New Zealand

Member, New Zealand Biotech Industry Organisation

Chair, INTA East Asia & Pacific Famous Marks Subcommittee (2014-2015)

INTA Asia Pacific Global Advisory Council (2014-2019)

Education

Dip IP Law, University of London

LLB, BCom, University of Auckland

Lawyer Rankings

New Zealand > Intellectual property

(Hall of Fame)

Christopher Young – MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Providing an ‘excellent’ service, the team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts provides a broad range of advice, including on strategy, commercialisation, transactions, and dispute resolution. In particular, the firm has expertise in trade mark matters, seeing large growth in trade mark filings work over the past year. The team is led by Christopher Young, an expert in IP aspects of corporate transactions and structuring. Within the team, Richard Wells advises on licensing and commercialisation, whilst John McCay supports technology and media clients with their IP matters.

Lawyer Rankings

Top Tier Firm Rankings

Firm Rankings