About Tommy Chen
Tommy is an experienced lawyer in Allens' Intellectual Property team and advises clients in relation to complex IP-heavy transactions, including M&A, initial public offerings and technology licensing and commercialisation arrangements, as well as IP disputes.
He is also a key member of Allens' franchising practice and has particular expertise in the computer technology, biotechnology and financial services sectors.
Tommy joined the Allens team in 2019 from the London office of Linklaters LLP, where he was a Managing Associate in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications and Intellectual Property team. During his time at Linklaters LLP, he worked on matters across Europe and also spent time in the Asia practice in Shanghai.
Tommy is a Black Duck Certified Legal Specialist in relation to open source software. He is the Vice Chair of the Trademarks Standing Committee of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) and a member of its Geographical Indications Standing Committee. He is also the Honorary Secretary of the AIPPI Australia Committee.
Tommy's experience includes advising:
M&A transactions
- News Corp: on the $3.4bn sale of The Foxtel Group to British streaming and entertainment platform DAZN
- TPG Telecom: on the sale of its fibre network infrastructure and its enterprise, government and wholesale fixed line business to Vocus Group Limited for an enterprise value of $5.25bn.
- Insurance Australia Group Limited (IAG): on its $1.35bn strategic alliance with the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RAC WA)
Technology advisory
- Various technology and financial institution clients: in relation to open source software (OSS) use, governance and risk management
- AstraZeneca Pty Ltd: on the manufacturing arrangements between AstraZeneca and CSL Limited for the manufacture of the AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine (AZD1222) in Australia
- Various Australian agribusinesses: in relation to biosecurity incidents and disputes under Australian state and federal laws
Franchising
- BYD Australia: restructuring dealership network in Australia and introducing new 'factory-backed' distribution model
- Nissan Australia: successful resolution of multi-franchisee disputes arising from network changes, including settlement of litigation brought by dealers
- Adamantem: on the $350m acquisition of a majority stake in Retail Zoo, the Australia-based franchisor of international food and beverage retail chains including Boost Juice and Betty’s Burgers
IP disputes
- News and Nine (as intervenors): in appeal of Copyright Tribunal decision relating to copyright licensing and Crown use (Copyright Agency Limited v Isentia Pty Ltd [2022] FCAFC 163)
- Siera Wireless: in successful arbitration relating to standards essential patents (SEPs) and FRAND obligations (Sierra Wireless v Nokia Inc. v Nokia Corporation (arbitration))
- Sanofi and Regeneron: in relation to European aspects of global patent disputes (Amgen Inc. v Sanofi-Aventis Groupe S.A. et al [2020] EWHC 2818 (Pat) (and related cases)).