Chris Williams

Partner
Sydney

Biography

Chris is a partner in our Technology and Intellectual Property group.

Specialising in intellectual property, Chris is known for working closely with his clients as a trusted advisor and his strategic approach makes him a formidable force in IP litigation.

As a seasoned IP lawyer and patent litigator, Chris has litigated patents across a range of industries including mining, electronics, e-commerce and life sciences. He has an excellent track record of winning at both trial and appellate level and can draw upon his extensive litigation experience in IP issues spanning copyright, trade mark, confidential information and consumer protection matters.

Chris also leads a talented team of lawyers who provide regulatory and compliance advice relating to food safety and therapeutic goods.

Experience

Chris’ experience includes advising:

  • REC Solar and its Australian distributors in significant global litigation regarding patent infringement proceedings involving solar panel technology.

  • ASX-listed Imdex Limited on its patent portfolio and litigating to prevent infringement by multiple entities of its revolutionary electronic mining technology.

  • Glass Hardware on the conduct of its appeal against TCT Group and others following the invalidation of its patents following infringement proceedings conducted by another law firm.

  • A Nelson & Co, the UK manufacturer of Rescue Remedy, in successfully obtaining an urgent interlocutory injunction to restrain a former distributor upon launching a substitute product named “RestQ”.

  • Calidad Pty Ltd, Australia's leading distributor of refurbished inkjet printer cartridges, obtaining a stay of injunctions from the Full Court while applying for the special leave to the High Court.

  • Caffitaly System S.p.A (the patentee and master licensor of Coca Cola Amatil) in an infringement action covering patents on its unique coffee capsule system.

  • Coca Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) in successfully defending patent proceedings concerning allegedly infringing bottle caps and as its go-to advisor for product safety and food regulatory issues.

  • Philips Australia in relation to multiple litigation matters involving MRI technology and advising generally on advertising, regulatory compliance and product safety issues in relation to its electronic consumer goods.

  • Clinical Laboratories in defending claims of patent infringement in relation to its use of Ariosa, Inc.’s “Harmony” prenatal test by Sequenom, Inc., which offers the competing “MaterniT21” genetic test.

  • Various industries on TGA regulations, advertising challenges and reviews, including iNova Pharmaceuticals, Edgewell Personal Care, Elixinol Wellness, Orthocell, Microsoft and other leading companies.

  • Pacific Equity Partners and The Carlyle Group on the $1 billion+ joint purchase of the iNova Pharmaceuticals business from Valeant Pharmaceuticals, including advising on all aspects of the applicable TGA requirements.

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023 - 2025

    Ranked for Intellectual Property: Patents

  • Chambers Global 2023 - 2025

    Ranked for Intellectual Property: Patents

  • Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars 2024

    Patent Star, with recommendations for Patent Litigation, Patent Office Proceedings, and Patent Strategy & Counselling

  • IAM Patent 2024

    Recommended for Transactions and Leading Individual for Litigation

Testimonials

Client first thinking

Chris Williams is an excellent lawyer and a trusted business partner; he is technically excellent, and can understand his clients’ industry and the business challenges they meet.

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific

His familiarity with the issues provides clients with the confidence and ease they need to make business decisions.

Chambers Asia-Pacific

Chris Williams completes the stellar line-up with his superb IP transactional and litigious skills.

IAM Patent 1000
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