Mark Williams

Principal at Dr Mark Williams Barrister & Solicitor

Greater Melbourne Area

About

- Admitted to practise in 1984 and an intellectual property lawyer since 1989 - Sole practice from 1990 with stints as head of intellectual property and litigation groups at a Melbourne CBD legal firm 1997-2004 - Has conducted lead negotiation and managed litigation in Australian and international transactions since that time including information technology, defence, logistics, agricultural, engineering and biotechnology innovation - Has also lobbied and managed legal policy advocacy on behalf of content creators and users in arts, information technology, engineering and biotechnology - Has worked on some of the key cases and transactions which established current Australian knowhow, software and domain name protection regimes - Has extensive knowledge of legal and commercial issues facing Australian visual arts, performing arts, digital and social media, and live theatre production including music theatre Services: A full range of legal services for technology, information and creative industries. * Research and development management * Capture of intellectual property, knowhow & trade secrets * Technology transfer * Copyright advice, tactics and strategy * Chain of title * Deal negotiation * Licensing * Enforcement of rights * Contract management, particularly for content creators * Trade mark & design registration * Patent licensing

Experience

  • Principal at Dr Mark Williams Barrister & Solicitor
    Apr 1991 - Present · 35 yrs 4 mos

    Arts, Entertainment and Technology Law practice Intellectual property capture and commercialisation Rights enforcement and related litigation Full-time 1991-7, 2003-present

  • RMIT University (27 yrs 1 mo)
    • Senior Industry Fellow
      Apr 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 4 mos

    • Course Lecturer
      Jul 1999 - Present · 27 yrs 1 mo

      Teacher of The Law & Arts Management in the Arts Management stream first within Faculty of Education and later in School of Art, Design and Social Context (Subject not offered in 2022).

    • Adjunct Professor, School of Art
      Jun 2009 - Oct 2019 · 10 yrs 5 mos

      Advocacy and speaking; numerous publications; industry participant ARC Investigations and currently working on the monograph 'Ought and Art: Legal Dimensions of Artistic Practice in Australia' (Australian Scholarly Publishing) forthcoming.

  • Committee of Management Member at La Mama Theatre
    May 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 3 mos

    Over fifty yearshosting some of the most vibrant performances and productions in Australian theatre. It's great to rejoin just as a whole new future opens up.

  • Committee Member at Victorian Actors' Benevolent Trust
    Feb 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 6 mos

    A not-for-profit Trust supporting those with a connection to the professional theatre confronted from time to time with life's downturns.

  • Volunteer at Arts Law Centre of Australia
    1988 - Present · 38 yrs 7 mos

    Panel lawyer.