Innovation & Technology

innovation & technology

We advise businesses throughout every stage of their innovation journey, from start-up and scale-up businesses to large private and publicly listed entities.  We have specialist expertise in relation to  emerging and first-of-type technologies across a broad range of industries, with our firm working across most areas of law.

We can assist with legal and strategic corporate advice at all stages of the project lifecycle from development and testing through to commercialisation, licencing and exit strategies.  This includes protection of intellectual property assets, navigating the regulatory landscape, and commercial negotiations and contracts.

white robot near brown wall
bulldozer, heavy machine, yellow

Our recent work in this space has included:

  • Australian outside legal counsel for Facebook Inc. on its Aquila Project (an innovative first-of-type drone project).
  • Commercial and regulatory advice in relation to:

    • autonomous construction equipment for an ASX-listed company;
    • first-of-type autonomous logistics software for a start-up company;
    • “green” desalination plants for a start-up company;
    • high-altitude balloon technology for a Fortune 100 company;
    • integration of intelligent technology for an ASX listed company;
    • new software-as-a-service for an SME; and
    • incorporation and strategic business planning for a number of new start-up companies.

Drones and autonomous vehicles 

  • Advising Australian and international clients on all legal and regulatory issues relating to UAVs
  • Managing UAV projects
  • Preparing applications regarding UAV operations and permissions in Australia for Australian and foreign corporations
  • Advising on frequency spectrum allocation matters and liaising with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
  • Advising on the development of UAV legislative and regulatory frameworks
  • Applying for related certificates, licences and permissions from Australian regulatory authorities
  • Representing and advising Australian and international UAV operators and corporations on UAV commercial and regulatory matters and in negotiations with Airservices Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and other Australian and international government agencies and departments
  • Working with Australian regulators to develop UAV law in Australia