Lynne Peach |Partner

Lynne assists clients in determining and implementing strategies for the management of advertising campaigns in a range of industries including the fast moving consumer goods, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and automotive industries. Brands Lynne has acted for include: Specsavers, Allianz, Gillette, Nestle, Colgate, Abbey National plc, Wyeth, Jim Beam, Bacardi, Nike, Yum! and PepsiCo.

A member of the Franchise Consultative Committee, Lynne advises and acts for clients in relation to commercial contracting, distribution arrangements and franchising. She advises on matters including drafting and negotiation of large scale distribution agreements; negotiating supply and logistics agreements; establishment and structuring of franchise systems; drafting franchise agreements and disclosure documents; and termination of franchisees and distributors and associated litigation.

Lynne has advised franchisors such as Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, KFC, Pizza Hut, Ikea, Peugeot, Giorgio Armani and a number of financial institutions, on operation of franchise, distribution and logistics operations

A specialist in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device regulation, Lynne represents pharmaceutical companies in relation to the registration of therapeutic goods and devices, the inclusion of goods on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and drafting and negotiation of key commercial and logistic agreements.

Lynne's practice in this area includes:

• advising clients on regulatory compliance in relation to product registration, claims, labelling, distribution channels, trade promotions, selling techniques, pricing and data privacy
• advising and representing clients in respect of allegations of breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act, Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code; the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct and the ASMI Code
• acting for clients in Federal Court administrative law actions challenging Government pricing and registration decisions
• acting for clients in large scale litigation to enforce IP rights including patents, trade marks, copyright and confidential information
• appearing before government enquiries in relation to the funding and regulation of medical devices in Australia

Lynne has a highly successful record in litigating to enforce IP rights including patents, designs, trade marks, copyright, and confidential information.

Lynne is currently involved in numerous high-profile disputes including acting for Specsavers in the Federal Court relating to allegations of infringement of copyright and misuse of confidential information and for Zurich in Federal Court litigation relating to allegations of trade mark infringement by an Australian company trading under the name Zurich Securities. The Zurich case involves the protection of one of the world’s best known financial services trade marks and will be one of the first cases in Australia to define the ambit of what is a "well known" trade mark in Australia and the scope of the related services provisions of the Trade Marks Act.

Lynne has a strong track record across all aspects of patent protection, commercialisation and enforcement. She regularly assists clients with freedom to operate advice, protection and filing strategies, commercialisation, and Australian and multi-jurisdictional enforcement. She is adept at handling complex patent litigation on behalf of local and international clients, including co-ordinating with international counsel as part of a global litigation strategy.

A particular focus of Lynne’s practice is acting for and advising clients in relation to patents in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, industrial, mechanical, software industries and in relation to business methods for financial services organisations.

Lynne is the head of Minter Ellison's Trade Marks practice. She provides ongoing strategic advice to clients in relation to the development and protection of intellectual property rights. Her expertise includes the registration and management of trade mark portfolios and the enforcement of copyright, trade marks, designs and patents.