Agriculture & Agritech

With over 40 years’ experience protecting innovation for some of Australasia’s biggest agricultural names, you can rely on our long-established expertise in agritech IP.

Agriculture & agritech expertise

With over 40 years’ experience protecting innovation for some of Australasia’s biggest agricultural names, you can rely on our long-established expertise in agritech IP.

Our reputation as having some of the best farmers in the world is no coincidence; built over hundreds of years, our agricultural industry is always evolving to find better ways of doing things. As the industry becomes more advanced (and more competitive), it is critical that valuable agritech intellectual property is properly protected.

James & Wells has an experienced team of agritech specialists, who can help you with everything from registering your trade marks, to complex patent strategy, to defending your rights in court. We have a long and established reputation in the sector – it’s why the big names in agritech have trusted us for decades.

Meet our agriculture & agritech experts

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Partner

Jason Rogers

As Head of the James & Wells Life Sciences team, and with over twenty-five years’ industry experience, Jason’s expertise includes a diverse array of biotechnology fields. Jason’s focus is on high-end intellectual property strategies for patent, design and copyright rights….

Partner

Jonathan Lucas

Jonathan heads James & Wells’ Patents Team specialising in mechanical engineering, electronics, physics, telecommunications and software. He has a strong academic background in physics and many years’ patent attorney experience working across all these fields. He specialises in drafting patent…

Partner

Ceri Wells

Ceri is a founding partner of James & Wells, a past president of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys, an experienced patent and trade mark attorney, and an outspoken champion of innovation. As an experienced lawyer and patent attorney…

Consultant

Britta Fromow

Britta is a lawyer and patent attorney with over 20 years’ experience in the Intellectual Property profession. Her specialist areas include mechanical engineering, electronics, robotics, medical devices, aerospace, and agri-technologies. She is also an expert in registered designs. Before becoming…

Partner

Dr. Andrew Scott

Andrew heads James & Wells’ Chemistry team. With a broad background in physics, biochemistry, and chemistry, Andrew has also completed a PhD in synthetic medicinal chemistry and post-doctoral studies in materials science. Andrew is passionate about providing solid, commercially relevant…

Partner

Adam Luxton

Adam is highly regarded in the fields of mining, energy, medical devices and consumer products. As an experienced patent attorney with an extensive background in mining and software engineering, Adam’s services are in demand by national and multinational companies seeking…

Partner

Nick Mountford

With over 25-years’ experience as a patent attorney in the engineering/ICT sector, Nick has helped numerous clients achieve commercially beneficial ownership and control of their IP, while mitigating against risks posed by competitors. His work centres on protecting clients’ innovations…

Partner

Mike Flint

Mike specialises in the electrical, electronics and software fields and has specialist knowledge of acquiring IP rights in the Asian market. He has a strong academic background having graduated with a first-class honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from…

Senior Associate

Jason Tuck

Ensuring businesses have sound commercial objectives in place, Jason provides advice on identifying, securing, and leveraging their IP – particularly in relation to patents and designs. Between local exporters and overseas companies entering New Zealand, Jason has experience in advising…

Partner

Jared Millar

Jared is a member of the Patents Team. He works with a wide variety of clients in numerous industries including animal health and husbandry products, automated dairy technologies, building and construction technologies, fluid applicators, power generation, and vehicle suspensions. He…

Senior Associate

Richard Clement

Richard is one of James & Wells’ mechanical engineering experts. His expertise includes the medical device, agri-tech, mechanical, and mechatronic industries. Richard prepares, files and prosecutes patent and design applications in Australia, New Zealand and internationally. He provides advice to…

Senior Associate

Joseph Garven

Joseph is a New Zealand and Australian patent attorney having a particular focus on mechanical engineering, electronics and software-related technology. He provides useful advice on issues such as patentability, freedom to operate (FTO) and infringement. Joseph regularly prepares new patent…

Consultant – IP Strategist

Kate Wilson

Kate, a former founding partner of James & Wells, is a registered patent attorney (in New Zealand and Australia), has degrees in physics and chemistry, and is internationally recognised as a leading IP strategist with particular experience in patent matters….

Partner

Jennifer Lucas

Jennifer has over 15 years’ experience in patent drafting and prosecution across a range of jurisdictions. Her experience covers chemistry, particularly pharmaceuticals, human and veterinary medical devices, food technology; including plant-based products and processes, dairy food and beverage innovation, health/nutraceutical…

Partner

Janelle Borham

Janelle joined James & Wells in 2024 as a partner based in our Melbourne office, after spending 20 years as a principal heading up a sizeable team of patent attorneys at a large Australia firm. Janelle is a registered Australian…

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Insights & Resources

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Innovation

How to impress sharks, dragons, and angels (and maybe become a unicorn)

The marriage of innovators with investors can be powerful, from many perspectives. In addition to the economic benefits, the positive energy generated is infectious and can encourage innovators and investors to take great ideas further. I work with both sides of the investor/investee markets and find that intellectual property (IP) can be a tipping point...

Innovation

Grants for New Zealand Startups and Established Businesses

Grants can make it possible for early-stage startups to test new ideas and access resources which may not always be accessible. In New Zealand, we have many startup grants and initiatives available to support new business. We also have funding available for established businesses. Here’s a rundown of some of New Zealand’s top grants provided...

Innovation

2022…New Year…New Idea? New IP?

“There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.” (Victor Hugo) It was a glorious afternoon. The sun was shining, and a gentle breeze blew across the sea as you enjoyed a fine Pinot Gris. Then it hit you…bam! The idea for the...

Innovation

Brand Extension 101

A recent article in Car and Driver Magazine[1] got me thinking about the concept of brand extension. Aston Martin has leveraged its brand into high priced condominiums in Miami, Los Angeles and Manhattan. The Manhattan apartments are fully furnished with Aston Martin Home Collection pieces, and come with an Aston Martin DBX (which has been...

Innovation

Lessons in Innovation from Stigler’s Law of Eponymy

I recently came across an idea called Stigler’s law of eponymy. It’s a quirky but neat idea that interests me because I think it teaches us some useful lessons about innovation and patent protection. Stigler’s Law of Eponymy Stigler’s law of eponymy says that no scientific discovery is named after its original discoverer. It is...

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Our Agriculture & Agritech Services

Patents

Trade Marks

Licensing & Commercialisation

Enforcement & Dispute Resolution

Plant Variety Rights

Design Registrations

Anti-counterfeiting

Trade Secrets & Non-Disclosure

Geographic Indications

International Filings

Renewals & Maintenance

Domain Names

Champions of Innovation®

Since 1979, James & Wells has been at the forefront of innovation in Australasia. We are here to help you grow, leverage and protect your IP. Our depth of experience ranges from managing large IP portfolios for international corporations, right through to protecting the ideas of start-ups, and everything in between. No matter the size of your organisation, James & Wells are here to be your dedicated Champions of Innovation®.

We are a full-service IP firm – that means you will find everything you need to protect your IP just by working with us. We will help you with patents, trade marks, litigation and IP strategy – our people are externally recognised as some of the best in the business, and they work together to bring you custom-built IP solutions that are tailored exactly to your needs. When you work with James & Wells, you know you’re in a safe pair of hands, with a highly experienced team supporting you.

Talk to us today about how we can work together.

Agriculture & Agritech