Tom Cordiner KC
- Commercial Law Intellectual Property
- Tort Law Public Law
After a short stint as a molecular geneticist in the mid 1990’s, Tom has specialised in all aspects of intellectual property law. He was admitted to the bar in 2003 and appointed silk in 2016. Tom is also enrolled as a barrister of the High Court of New Zealand.
Tom is the “The Australian Best Lawyers List” Lawyer of the Year for Intellectual Property 2026. He has the current highest ranking (band 1) in the Chambers and Partners’ Asia-Pacific Guide for “Intellectual Property: The Bar – Australia” and the highest ranking (preeminent) in the Doyles’ Guide for “Leading Intellectual Property Senior Counsel” in both Australia and Victoria for a number of years: “Leading Intellectual Property Law Senior Counsel – Victoria, 2024”; “Leading Intellectual Property Law Senior Counsel – Australia, 2023". Tom has also been ranked in Doyles’ Guide for “Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Senior Counsel” in Australia and Victoria, most recently the highest ranking in Victoria for 2024 and in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific - Australia the Bar as a Tier 1 ranked Senior Counsel for TMT and Intellectual Property.
Tom commonly appears in the Federal Court of Australia in trials and appeals throughout Australia, and from time to time the Patents Office and Trade Marks Office. He appears for, and advises, a broad range of clients in all kinds of industries including pharmaceutical, mining, automotive, agricultural, information technology/telecommunications, wagering, and fashion.
Tom contributes to IPForum each quarter and is the author of Patent Infringement in Lahores, published by Lexis Nexis and is often called on to speak at or chair intellectual property seminars.
Prior to joining the law, Tom obtained tertiary qualifications in science and law and earned an honours degree in molecular genetics with a project funded by Florigene Ltd (responsible for the “Blue Rose” and “Long-life carnation” projects) at Melbourne University.
From 1998 to 2003, Tom was a solicitor with Ashurst (then Blake Dawson Waldron), including taking on a six-month secondment at GE Capital. He became a registered patent attorney and trade marks attorney while with the firm, drafting and prosecuting mechanical and molecular biology patents, and assisting clients in a range of technologies.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation
Contact
- P03 9225 6965
- E[email protected]
- Connect on Linkedin
- Download VCard
Emmerson Chambers
Level 18 Room 6
200 Queen Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Jane King
03 9225 8558
Expertise
- Appellate
- Class Actions
- Competition
- Consumer Law
- Appellate
- Confidential Information
- Copyright & Designs
- Information Technology
- Media & Entertainment
- Patents
- Trade Marks
- Product Liability
- Administrative Law
- Appellate
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
Patent Attorney & Trade Marks Attorney
Victoria
State and Territory Courts and Tribunals
Federal Court of Australia
High Court of Australia
Recent Cases
ToolGen Incorporated v Fisher (Federal Court hearing in May 2024, decision of Nicholas J reserved) - application to amend patent application regarding CRISPR technology.
CQMS Pty Ltd v ESCO Group LLC [2024] APO 17; [2023] APO 46; [2023] APO 35; [2023] APO 29; [2023] APO 28; [2023] APO 26; [2023] APO 16; [2023] APO 7; [2022] APO 64; [2022] APO 9; [2022] APO 5; [2020] APO 54; [2020] APO 53; [2020] APO 24; [2020] APO 14; [2020] APO 5 – oppositions to grant of various patents regarding mining equipment, and related disputes.
Jusand Nominees Pty Ltd v Rattlejack Innovations Pty Ltd & Ors [2024] HCASL 105 – successfully resisted High Court special leave application – patent infringement and validity dispute concerning safety system to protect against falling broken drill rods in underground mining.
Novartis AG v Pharmacor Pty Ltd (Federal Court hearing in April and May 2024, decision of Yates J reserved) – patent infringement and extension of term/validity dispute concerning patent for sacubitril/valsartan combination drug for heart failure and hypertension.
ResMed Pty Ltd v Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (Patent Office two-day hearing in March 2024, decision of Delegate reserved) – opposition to grant of a suite of patent applications concerning CPAP masks.
CDB Goldair Australia Pty Ltd v SharkNinja Operating LLC (Patent Office hearing in March 2024, decision of Delegate reserved) – opposition to grant of patent application concerning double air-friers.
Confidential party names (arbitration hearing in February 2024, decision reserved) – trade mark licence and validity dispute in dental industry.
Sanofi v Amgen Inc (Federal Court hearing in November and December 2023, decision of Nicholas J reserved) – appeal from an opposition to grant of a suite of patent applications concerning antibodies to PCSK9 for treating hypercholesterolemia.
Allied Pumps Pty Ltd v LAA Industries Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 1457 – patent infringement and validity dispute concerning generators used for dewatering pumps on mining sites.
Jusand Nominees Pty Ltd v Rattlejack Innovations Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 178 – patent infringement and validity dispute concerning safety system to protect against falling broken drill rods in underground mining.
Sanofi v Amgen Inc. (No 2) [2023] FCA 1156 – dispute regarding use of multiple experts and evidence from same.
Energy Beverages LLC v Kangaroo Mother Australia Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 999 – trade mark validity dispute by owner of MOTHER mark (Energy Beverages) against registration of KANGAROO MOTHER.
Novartis AG v Pharmacor Pty Limited (No 2) [2023] FCA 963 – interlocutory dispute regarding proposed separate question on validity of patent.
Novartis AG v Pharmacor Pty Limited [2023] FCA 804 – interlocutory dispute as to discovery.
ToolGen Incorporated v Fisher (No 2) [2023] FCA 794 – appeal from opposition to grant of patent application over CRISPR gene editing technology.
Henley Constructions Pty Ltd v Henley Arch Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 62 – trade mark validity and infringement dispute over marks comprising the word HENLEY for building and construction services.
CYC17 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2023] FedCFamC2G 191 – pro bono immigration law dispute – protection visa.
BlackSquare Inc v Cracka IP Pty Ltd [2022] ATMO 168 – opposition to registration of trade mark WINE COLLECTIVE in respect of wine.
Jusand Nominees Pty Ltd v Rattlejack Innovations Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 540; [2022] FCA 867 – patent infringement and validity regarding mining equipment.
Henley Arch Pty Ltd v Henley Constructions Pty Ltd (No 3) [2022] FCA 408; [2022] FCA 231; [2021] FCA 1369 – trade mark validity and infringement dispute over marks comprising the word HENLEY for building and construction services.
Brass Homes Pty Ltd v Macasa Homes Pty Ltd (settled March 2022) – copyright infringement and subsistence/ownership.
Cantarella Bros Pty Ltd v Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. [2022] APO 12 – amendment of patent application regarding hot beverage capsules.
Biogen International GmbH v Sandoz Pty Ltd (20 December 2021, unreported) – preliminary discovery concerning patent infringement and validity regarding dimethyl fumerate.
Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc v Sequenom, Inc [2021] FCAFC 101 – infringement and validity of patent concerning pre-natal diagnosis with cell-free foetal DNA.
Janssen Sciences Ireland Unlimited Company v Juno Pharmaceuticals (for hearing in June 2021, settled) – patent infringement and validity regarding darunavir.
Taxiprop Pty Ltd v Neutron Holdings Inc [2020] FCA 1565; [2020] FCA 1822; [2021] FCA 274 (trade mark infringement and validity – LIME for transport services);
Mylan Health Pty Ltd v Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd [2020] FCAFC 116 (3 July 2020) (patent infringement and validity – fenofibrate);
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v Kymab Limited [2019] APO 36 (31 July 2019) (opposition to patent concerning mouse models for antibody production);
Liberation Developments Pty Ltd v Lomax Group Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 1180 (30 July 2019); [2019] FCA 2059 – infringement and validity of patent concerning hoarding systems.
Technological Resources Pty Limited v Tettman [2019] FCA 1889 – patent validity for mining equipment.
Sequenom, Inc. v Ariosa Diagnostics, Inc. [2019] FCA 1011 – infringement and validity of patent concerning pre-natal diagnosis with cell-free foetal DNA.
InterPharma Pty Ltd v Hospira, Inc (No 5) [2019] FCA 960 – infringement and validity of patent concerning drug, dexmedetomidine.
Juno Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd v Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc [2019] FCA 526 (16 April 2019) – application to withdraw admission in patent infringement and validity case concerning drug, bortezomib.
Mylan Health Pty Ltd v Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd (No 2) [2019] FCA 505 – interlocutory application for injunction pending appeal.
Mylan Health Pty Ltd v Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 411 – application to set aside notice to produce.
Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH v Alphapharm Pty Ltd [2019] FCAFC 28 – appeal from application for interlocutory injunction re drug dispenser for insulin glargine.
GM Global Technology Operations LLC v S.S.S. Auto Parts Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 97 – infringement and validity of design registrations for car parts.
Meat & Livestock Australia Limited v Cargill, Inc (No 2) [2019] FCA 33 – opposition to amendment of patent regarding identifying a trait of a bovine subject from a nucleic acid sample.
Mylan Health Pty Ltd (formerly BGP Products Pty Ltd) v Sun Pharma ANZ Pty Ltd (formerly Ranbaxy Australia Pty Ltd) [2019] FCA 28 – patent infringement and validity regarding drug, fenofibrate.
Caesarstone Ltd v Ceramiche Caesar S.p.A. (No 3) [2019] FCA 7 – trade mark oppositions and revocation for mark CAEARSTONE.
Shen Dian Enterprise Ltd v ARK Corporation Pty Ltd [2018] APO 92 – opposition to patent application regarding battery box with built-in charger.
Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (No 3) [2018] FCA 2060 – interlocutory injunction application re patent infringement and validity for drug dispenser for insulin glargine.
Cantarella Bros Pty Ltd v Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V. [2018] APO 81 – opposition to patent application for coffee capsule systems.
Publications
Intellectual Property - Trade Mark Law Update - Vitaco Health IP Pty Ltd v AFI Cosmetic Pty Ltd (No 3) [2024] FCA 598
02 May 2024Intellectual Property - Patent Law Update - the Full Court gives SARB’s latest parking product the green light, but says that VMS’ patents remain valid.
30 April 2024Intellectual Property – Patent Law Update - validity, manner of manufacture. Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited v Commissioner of Patents (No 3) [2024] FCA 212
26 April 2024Intellectual Property – Patent Law Update: Section 117, authorisation and “Swiss-style” claims, liability not avoided - but where to on damages?
14 February 2024The Agency Group Australia Ltd v H.A.S. Real Estate Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 203
09 February 2024Intellectual Property Law Update - McD Asia Pacific LLC v Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 1412
13 November 2023Halal Certification Authority Pty Limited v Flujo Sanguineo Holdings Pty Limited [2023] FCFCA 175
08 November 2023Cantarella Bros Pty Ltd v Lavazza Australia Pty Ltd (No. 3) [2023] FCA 1258
02 November 2023Intellectual Property - Appellate Law Update - Directed Electronics OE Pty Ltd v Gridtraq Australia Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 149
26 September 2023Patent Law Update - Hanwha Solutions Corporation v REC Solar Pte Ltd [2023] FCA 1017
23 August 2023MMD Design and Consultancy Limited v Camco Engineering Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 827
08 August 2023UbiPark Pty Ltd v TMA Capital Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2023] FCA 885
07 August 2023Copyright Law Update - Chapcon Building Services Pty Ltd v Spectrum Homes Qld Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 873
07 August 2023Trade Mark Law Update - Ragopika Pty Ltd v Padmasingh Isaac Trading as Aachi Spices and Foods [2023] FCA 487
06 July 2023Patent Law Update - Vehicle Monitoring Systems Pty Limited v SARB Management Group Pty Ltd trading as Database Consultants Australia (No 8) [2023] FCA 182.
15 June 2023Trade Mark Law Update - Seven Network (Operations) Limited v 7-Eleven Inc [2023] FCA 608
06 June 2023Patent Law Update - Sandoz Ltd v Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company [2023] EWCA Civ 472
06 June 2023Patent Law Update - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation v Urrbrae Foods Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 504
02 June 2023Intellectual Property Law Update - New Aim Pty Ltd v Leung [2023] FCAFC 67
31 May 2023Copyright and Confidential Information Law Update - Austin Engineering Pty Ltd v Podulova [2023] FCA 419
16 February 2023Intellectual Property Law Update – claim construction fuels the Full Court – Airco Fasteners Pty Ltd v Illinois Tool Works Inc [2023] FCAFC 7
14 February 2023Misleading & Deceptive Conduct Update – Inspiration vs Deliberate Copying. Elements common to the trade – Natural Raw C Pty Ltd v Maicap Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 51
14 February 2023Misleading and Deceptive Conduct Update - Brick Lane Brewing Co Pty Ltd v Torquay Beverage Co Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 66
27 October 2022Intellectual Property Law Update - Australian Mud Company Pty Ltd v Globaltech Corporation (No 3) [2022] FCA 1189
06 October 2022Patent Law Update – Full Federal Court upholds Justice Burley’s findings that only half of Juno’s proposed product infringes Pharmacia’s valid patent
14 September 2022Trade Marks Update – acquired distinctiveness is not relevant to assessment of deceptive similarity
13 September 2022Trade Marks Update – the CAT is well and truly in the bag - Puma SE v Caterpillar Inc [2022] FCAFC 153
08 September 2022Trade Marks and Consumer Law Update – Shape mark – use as a trade mark – is this the FINISH?
23 August 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – What to do with the split High Court decision on Manner of Manufacture?
22 August 2022Defamation Law Update – Google LLC v Defteros [2022] HCA 27
25 July 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – WeChat confidential information and lawyers beware, how to prepare expert reports
25 June 2022Intellectual Property Update - C.M.E. Blasting & Mining Equipment Ltd v Rock Tool Refurbishment Solutions Pty Ltd (No 2)
27 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – Enough with elections already
27 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update When “opposites” attract infringement
12 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – Finally: A truly trivial addition not innovative
12 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – recovery of costs by a successful appellant from a decision of the Registrar (designs, trade marks or patents).
12 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – Copyright and Works of “Artistic Craftsmanship”, assessment of evidence, the need for special training, skill and knowledge
12 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – Microphone design more than a sound bite
12 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – “Oils ain’t oils” but can be staple commercial products
12 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update – Damages for infringement of a patent that is still under attack
11 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update Default Judgment and Declarations
09 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update Settling an appeal from the Trade Marks Office: power and public interest
03 May 2022Intellectual Property Law Update Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v Sandoz Pty Ltd [2022] FCAFC 40 - Commissioner of Patents v Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd [2022] FCAFC 39
29 April 2022Intellectual Property Law Update State Street Global Advisors Trust Company v Maurice Blackburn Pty Ltd [2022] FCAFC 57
22 April 2022Intellectual Property Law Update Commissioner of Patents v Thaler [2022] FCAFC 62 - 13 April 2022 Allsop CJ, Nicholas, Yates, Moshinsky and Burley JJ
20 April 2022Intellectual Property Update Novartis AG v Pharmacor Pty Limited [2022] FCAFC 58
08 December 2021Intellectual Property Update - Repipe Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Patents [2021] FCAFC 223
25 November 2021Intellectual Property Law Update - Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc v Elanco New Zealand
19 November 2021Intellectual Property Update - Shepparton Partners Collective Operations Pty Ltd v QAD Inc [2021] FCAFC 206
11 October 2021Intellectual Property Update - Nagpal v Global Cars Aus Pty Ltd
27 September 2021Intellectual Property Update - BGD Corporation Pty Ltd v Kalaoun
15 September 2021Intellectual Property Update - Otter Products, LLC v Haydon
10 September 2021Intellectual Property Update - XCFB and National Disability Insurance Agency
07 September 2021Intellectual Property Update - Swancom Pty Ltd v The Jazz Corner Hotel Pty Ltd (No 3) [2021] FCA 729 (30 June 2021)
07 September 2021Intellectual Property Update - Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd v Commissioner of Patents [2021] FCA 643 (11 June 2021)
07 September 2021Intellectual Property Update - Chevron Global Energy Inc v Ampol Australia Petroleum Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 617 (8 June 2021)
07 September 2021Insolvency & Intellectual Property Update - McCallum, in the Matter of Re Holdco Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) (No 2) [2021] FCA 377 (21 April 2021)
27 August 2021Intellectual Property Update - Caterpillar Inc v Puma SE
23 August 2021Intellectual Property Update - State Street Global Advisors Trust Company v Maurice Blackburn Pty Ltd (No 2)
12 August 2021Intellectual Property Update - Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v Sandoz Pty Ltd
04 August 2021Intellectual Property Update - International Wushu Federation v Google LLC
04 August 2021Intellectual Property Update - Ames Australasia Pty Ltd v AgBoss Australia Pty Ltd
30 July 2021Intellectual Property Update - Thaler v Commissioner of Patents
09 July 2021Intellectual Property Update - Chevron Global Energy Inc v Ampol Australia Petroleum Pty Ltd (No 2)
08 July 2021Intellectual Property Update - Swancom Pty Ltd v The Jazz Corner Hotel Pty Ltd (No 2)
08 July 2021Intellectual Property Update - Repipe Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Patents (No 3)
08 July 2021Intellectual Property Update - Whitsunday Aerial Solutions Professionals Pty Ltd v Emprja Pty Ltd
02 July 2021Intellectual Property Update - Verix Pty Ltd v Williams
29 March 2021Intellectual Property Update - D’Annunzio v Willunga Projects Pty Ltd
10 March 2021Intellectual Property Update - Metricon Homes Pty Ltd v Zac Homes Pty Ltd
02 March 2021Intellectual Property Update - Urban Alley Brewery Pty Ltd v La Sirène Pty Ltd
02 March 2021Intellectual Property Update - State of Escape Accessories Pty Limited v Schwartz and farewell to Peter Heerey AM QC
02 March 2021Intellectual Property Update - State of Escape Accessories Pty Limited v Schwartz (No 2) and in other news…
26 February 2021Intellectual Property Update - The Cultural Intelligence Project Pty Ltd v The Entourage Education Group Pty Ltd
22 January 2021Intellectual Property Update - UON Pty Ltd v Hoascar [No 3]
03 December 2020Intellectual Property Update - Brennan v Foster Blake [2021] Fed C Fam C2G 261
Memberships
Member of the Board of Directors of List G Barristers
Law Council of Australia, Intellectual Property Committee
Commercial Bar Association, IP and Trade Practices Section
Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)
Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys (IPTA)