John Lee

Partner
Sydney

Biography

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

He is one of Australia’s leading IP litigators and has many years’ experience advising on all aspects of intellectual property law with a particular focus on patent litigation and trade secrets. John has expertise across a range of industries including life sciences, resources and digital technologies. He has had outstanding success for his clients in Federal Court litigation including obtaining a record damages award for an Australian patent case and one of the largest trade secret awards in recent times ($190 million). John advised Aristocrat throughout its successful 8-year litigation on patent eligibility. The case, which went to the High Court, is arguably one of the most watched IP cases in Australia over the last 20 years, with very significant implications for R&D and investment in innovation including AI.

John has also advised extensively on IP issues arising in the context of corporate transactions, licensing and commercialisation.

Experience

John’s experience includes advising:

  • Aristocrat on its case with Commissioner of Patents. Arguably the most watched IP case in Australia in the last 20 years, this case is the leading authority in Australia on the highly contentious area of patent eligibility. Aristocrat is the leading Australian patent filer. The complexity of the issues was reflected in the fact that the proceeding went to the High Court of Australia in 2023 and resulted in an extremely rare 3:3 split decision.

  • Aristocrat on its landmark Federal Court proceeding against competitor Light & Wonder for trade secret and copyright infringements in relation to the core underlying mathematics for its gaming products. This was one of the largest IP cases fought in Australia in recent times, with substantial, specialist IP teams engaged in highly complex, cross-border IP issues. The proceedings successfully settled with Light & Wonder agreeing to pay $190 million compensation and agreeing to Court ordered undertakings.

  • CPC Patent Technologies on their high-profile patent infringement action against Apple concerning the infringement of a biometric patent by iPhones and iPads sold in Australia.

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

  • A high-profile case involving obtaining and executing urgent search and seizure orders (Anton Piller Orders) in respect of industrial scale misappropriation of trade secrets.

  • BASF on the long-standing, highly contentious multi-jurisdictional patent litigation, involving a complex portfolio of mining industry patents with a multi-jurisdictional reach.

  • Aristocrat on numerous notable cases including its case against Konami which resulted in a record Australian damages award for a patent case.

  • Xero on the long-running and successful entitlement dispute regarding Xero’s patents over a financial tool.

  • Australian biotech company EnGeneIC regarding a patent dispute on mini-cell technology.

  • Shopify in defending a Federal Court patent infringement action regarding m-commerce applications.

  • ResMed on the Australian aspects of its global patent litigation with Fisher and Paykel over medical devices.

  • Various clients on IP and regulatory issues arising in transactions and in ongoing compliance regimes, including commercialisation and with the TGA, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Defence Export Controls framework.


Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026

    Ranked in Intellectual Property: Patents

  • Chambers Global 2025

    Ranked in Intellectual Property: Patents

  • The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026

    Recognised as a Leading Partner in Intellectual Property

  • The Best Lawyers in Australia 2027

    Recognised for Intellectual Property Law, Life Sciences Practice and Litigation

  • IP STARS 2026

    Patent star

  • Doyle’s Guide 2025

    Recognised as a Leading Contentious Intellectual Property Lawyer in New South Wales

  • IAM Patent 1000 2025

    Ranked Silver for Litigation

Testimonials

Client first thinking

John is extremely sound on legal strategy and tactics and is very commercial in his approach.

Chambers Asia-Pacific

Clients underline his ‘outstanding client service, in-depth technical knowledge and understanding, communication and the ability to simplify complex matters.

Chambers Asia-Pacific

John Lee is an impressive lawyer who goes above and beyond to deliver results and meet the needs of his clients.

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
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