MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Corporate and Commercial - Intellectual Property

Partner

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. Chris 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, and one of the firm's international lead partners, 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.

Chris has worked in London and is actively involved in the International Trademarks Association (INTA) and the International Bar Association (IBA). He has chaired INTA’s East Asia Pacific Famous Marks subcommittee, and been on the Parallel Imports Committee, Internet Committee, and the Asia Pacific Global Advisory Council. Chris is currently the co-Chair of the INTA Bulletin Asia-Pacific sub-committee.

Chris’ film, digital and television production work includes the New Zealand film grant regime. He has acted for many years for a range of major US studios on some of the leading productions filmed or produced in New Zealand.

English

Director, Pharmaco New Zealand Limited and Pharmaco Australia Pty Limited Co-Chair, Asia-Pacific Bulletin Sub-committee, International Trademark Association (INTA), 2019-2023 Member, International Trademark Association (INTA) Member, Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ) Member, Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand (LESANZ) Member, American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand Inc Member, BioTech New Zealand

Dip IP Law, University of London

LLB, BCom, University of Auckland