Electronics & Electrical Systems

Our Electronics & Electrical Systems team is made up of attorneys and lawyers with deep knowledge of the field. Many of our experts have hands-on experience working as engineers.

Electronics & Electrical Systems Expertise

Our Electronics & Electrical Systems team is made up of attorneys and lawyers with deep knowledge of the field. Many of our experts have hands-on experience working as engineers, and have since applied that knowledge to advising clients about their intellectual property rights.

For everything from circuit design to the application of electronics to complex mechatronic systems, the Electronics & Electrical Systems team can help you with all aspects of intellectual property protection and enforcement, including formulating an IP strategy, obtaining patent protection, licensing and litigation.

Meet our electronics & electrical systems experts

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Trainee Patent Attorney

Thomas Lieu

Thomas joined the Melbourne Patents Team in 2023 after completing his Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, specialising in advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics. During his Honours, he worked on producing and analysing the viability of…

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

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

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…

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

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…

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Insights & Resources

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IP update

New Zealand and Europe introduce Patent Prosecution Highway

On 1 December 2024, the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) and the European Patent Office (EPO) launched a new Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme. The PPH pilot programme is intended to run for at least three years (i.e. until 30 November 2027), after which time, IPONZ and the EPO will evaluate the...

IP update

New Zealand and China introduce Patent Prosecution Highway

On 1 November 2024, the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) launched a new Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme. The PPH programme is intended to run for at least two years (i.e. until 31 October 2026) and allows patent applicants to request accelerated examination of...

Patents

Best method requirement in Australian and New Zealand Patent Law

A recent decision of Justice Burley in the Federal Court of Australia[1] has shone a light on the requirement of a patentee to disclose the best method of implementing his/her/its invention. In Australia[2], as in New Zealand[3], it is a requirement for the valid grant of patent rights that the patentee discloses “the best method...

IP update

Changes to IP Australia Official Fees

IP Australia have announced changes to their patent fee procedure which will be effective from 1st October 2024. These changes include incremental fee increases (+10-20%) for patent prosecution and large increases in opposition fees (up to 100%). The most significant change is to bring forward the timing as to when excess claim fees are incurred....

Patents

Food Technology Patent Activity in Australia

The food manufacturing sector is the largest of Australia’s manufacturing industries, and has experienced significant government investment and growth in recent years[1]. Alongside this, patent filings in the food technology field in Australia have more than doubled in less than ten years, and as of 2021 (the last year for which there is complete patent...

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How we can help

Patents

Design Registrations

Trade Secrets & Non-Disclosure

Trade Marks

Domain Names

Enforcement & Dispute Resolution

Licensing & Commercialisation

International Filings

Renewals & Maintenance

Your 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.

Electronics & Electrical Systems