Acquisition International - Issue 4 2023 11 ith a purpose to help shape New Zealand’s future, leading, full-service law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts (Minter Ellison) works alongside its clients, its people, and its communities seeking to deliver value by listening and understanding, and providing practical and innovative commercial solutions, to tell companies achieve their business goals. With access to internationally recognised, experienced legal and business advisers across a wide range of practice areas and industry sectors, Minter Ellison works to provide a seamless experience, both in its homeland of New Zealand and around the world. Christopher Young is a widely recognised intellectual property expert with an extensive international practice and network. Known for his technical expertise and pragmatic advice, Christopher is consistently ranked as a leading IP lawyer in legal directories, and he assists with all aspects of IP through its lifecycle including development, protection, transfer, enforcement, and commercialisation. He has significant experience in media, film, and television production, and regulatory work in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors. Head of the IP team at Minter Ellison, Christopher specialises in IP, brand strategy, trademarks, commercial IP, licensing, franchising, marketing, sponsorship, privacy, IP disputes, enforcement, and IP audits. Christopher has significant expertise handling the IP aspects of M&A and other corporate transactions. Commercial IP is a key part of Christopher’ practice. With more than 20 years’ worth of experience in licensing and commercialisation, franchising, and commercial arrangements, he routinely advises on and develops strategy for IP aspects of corporate transactions. Recognised for both his local and international brand strategy and managing trademark portfolios, Christopher manages risks, launches W new brands, develops strategies to commercialise, protects and enforces brands, trouble shoots problems, and handles counterfeits. He is experienced with sponsorship, marketing, advertising, privacy, consumer protection, and other regulatory areas. Both local and international clients benefit from Christopher’ breadth of experience. He takes time to understand his clients’ businesses and develops strong and ongoing relationships as their trusted adviser. His clients operate in numerous industries including FMCG, fashion/apparel, publishing, food and beverage, liquor, advertising and marketing, retail, TMT, media, aviation, automotive, banking and financial services, entertainment, agriculture/horticulture, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, building, forestry, education, health and ageing, transportation, and energy. Having joined the Minter Ellison partnership in 2005 from Chapman Tripp, where he was a Principal – IP team, Christopher previously worked for Nabarro Nathanson in London and completed post-graduate studies in intellectual property at Queen Mary College, London University. Christopher is recognised as a leading IP lawyer in legal directories, including Chambers, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (Hall of Fame), Managing IP and WIPR. WTR1000 2022 recommends Christopher, noting: “The IP practice at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts is hallmarked by its strategic sophistication and impeccable transactional capabilities. The team can always be relied on to come up with the most commercially viable solution. Epitomising this is the dexterous head of IP Christopher Young, who has extensive involvement with many INTA committees and is always ready to deliver the top-notch brand protection and Trans-Tasman trademark law advice.” Having worked in London, Christopher is actively involved in the International Trademarks Association (INTA) and the International Bar Association (IBA). He has chaired INTA’s East Asia Pacific Famous Marks subcommittee, and been on the Parallel Imports Committee, Internet Committee, and the Asia Pacific Global Advisory Council. Christopher is currently the co-Chair of the INTA Bulletin Asia-Pacific sub-committee. Christopher’ film, digital, and television production work includes the New Zealand film grant regime. He has acted for many years for a range of major US studios on some of the leading productions filmed or produced in New Zealand. With a string of awards under his belt, Christopher recently gained further recognition, celebrating a win in the AI Global Excellence Awards 2023 as he was named Leading International Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year – New Zealand. This latest accolade is testament to Chrsitopher’s dedication to his work, his clients and the community in which he serves. Widely recognised as an IP and brand strategist and for his practical advice, barrister and solicitor Christopher Young, of Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, is flying the flag for the international property sector. We profile the eminent figure as he is crowned Leading International Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year – New Zealand. Sep22252 Shaping the Future Contact: Christopher Young Company: Minter Ellison Rudd Watts Web Address: https://minterellison.co.nz/ Jan23217 With access to internationally recognised, experienced legal and business advisers across a wide range of practice areas and industry sectors, Minter Ellison works to provide a seamless experience, both in its homeland of New Zealand and around the world.
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