Earl is regarded as one of New Zealand's leading intellectual property lawyers. He co-heads the firm's intellectual property group. He advises on all aspects of IP, including protection, portfolio structuring, management, exploitation, transfer, and enforcement.
Earl understands that intellectual property assets are core to the success of any modern enterprise. One of his strengths is tailoring his advice to meet commercial objectives. He is proactive in raising and addressing IP issues which arise in a client's business and the market in which the client operates.
- The International Who's Who of Trademark Lawyers 2009 - Leading Lawyer
- PLC Which Lawyer? Intellectual Property 2010 - Leading Lawyer
- PLC Which Lawyer? Life Sciences 2010 - Leading Lawyer
- Asia Pacific Legal 500 Intellectual Property 2010 - Leading Lawyer
- Chambers Global Intellectual Property 2010 - Leading Lawyer
- AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers Guide 2009 - Leading Intellectual Property Lawyer
Examples of Work
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New Zealand House of Representatives (Parliament), Commerce Select Committee - new technologies amendments to the Copyright Act 1994
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Mars Group - New Zealand IP strategy, including successful strategy to gain exclusivity for the colour purple for cat food packaging
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DB Breweries - trade mark portfolio and brand strategy, including branding disputes and enforcement
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Google - various copyright issues for launch of products in New Zealand
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New Line Cinema - intellectual property advice for The Lord of the Rings trilogy
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Novartis - substantial patent infringement litigation with Astra Zeneca, and intellectual property issues relating to PHARMAC arrangements
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University of Otago - strategic commercialisation projects and their restructuring
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Bunnings - successful defence of copyright, moral rights and trade mark infringement proceedings by Mitre 10 in relation to comparative advertisements
Other Credentials
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Lex Mundi, Intellectual Property Practice Group - Past chair
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Auckland CBD Advisory Board - Deputy chair
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Committee for Auckland - Director
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International Trademark Association (INTA) - Asia-Pacific Subcommittee of the International Amicus Committee - Past chair
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INTA - Non-Traditional Trademarks Committee
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Lexis Nexis loose leaf Copyright & Design - Co-author
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Lexis Nexis Laws of New Zealand, Trade Marks title - Author
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Brookers' An Introduction to E-commerce Law in New Zealand - Co-author
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Lion Rock Group of Companies (owners of rights in Buzzy Bee) - Director
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Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand (LESANZ) - Member
