Biography

    John is a partner in Gilbert + Tobin's Tech + IP group and leads our market leading Patent practice.

    John’s unique combination of legal and technical qualifications enables him to practice at the forefront of IP law. He has many years’ experience dealing with all aspects of intellectual property law with a particular focus on patent litigation and trade secrets across a range of industries including life sciences, resources, and digital technologies.

    John has had outstanding success in Federal Court litigation in recent years including obtaining a record damages award for an Australian patent case in 2023.  John also recently succeeded in taking a case on the highly controversial issue of patent eligibility to the High Court of Australia.

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

    John has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) and is also a registered Patent Attorney.

    John’s recent experience includes advising:

    • REC Technologies – Representing a global manufacturer of solar cell technology defending Federal Court patent infringement claims brought by Korean company Hanwha. A multi-faceted litigation over a highly complex technology which involves managing cross-border issues - corresponding proceedings are on foot in the US and Germany.  John’s client succeeded in defending this patent infringement case relating to highly commercially significant technology.
    • Aristocrat v Commissioner of Patents –This case is the leading authority in Australia on the highly contentious area of patent eligibility.  John’s client Aristocrat, the leading Australian patent filer, took the case to the High Court in 2022. In a very rare occurrence, the High Court granted leave to appeal on the papers but was split 3:3 in the final decision.
    • Aristocrat v Konami – A successful patent infringement claim brought by Aristocrat against a competitor in relation to Aristocrat’s critical Hyperlink technology. Aristocrat succeeded at first instance and unanimously on appeal. Aristocrat was awarded an Australian record of $36M in compensation.
    • Xero v Factor Financial – A long running and successful entitlement dispute regarding John’s client Xero’s patents over a financial tool.
    • BASF (Ciba Specialty Chemicals) v SNF Australia – A high stakes patent litigation relating to a mining technology.  John’s client, the German chemical company BASF succeeded at every stage of this patent infringement case against SNF including at first instance in the Federal Court, on appeal to the Full Court and in resisting special leave to the High Court. This complex and hard-fought litigation had multi-jurisdictional reach with parallel actions in Canada and China.
    • IP Transactional and Regulatory Projects – John regularly advises on IP and regulatory issues arising in transactions and in ongoing compliance regimes.  John has extensive experience advising on IP strategy and commercialisation and with the TGA, Pharmaceutical Benefits and Defence Export regimes.
    • John has been active in establishing Gilbert + Tobin’s innovation group including coordinating filing of patent applications for some of the firm’s legal technology innovations.

    John is recognised as leading practitioner in Intellectual Property: Patents

    CHAMBERS ASIA-PACIFIC 2024

    John is recognised as a Leading Individual for Intellectual Property

    THE LEGAL 500 ASIA-PACIFIC 2024

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

    CHAMBERS ASIA-PACIFIC

    He transcends the legal role to play a business adviser role as well”; “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”.

    LEGAL 500 ASIA-PACIFIC