About Robert Munro
Robert's practice focuses on his clients’ commercial objectives, and ensuring that their innovation gets the protection they need to succeed whilst navigating IP risks. Robert specialises in the industrial and electrical areas, including automotive, building and construction, energy storage, healthcare, mining, oil and gas, and other mechanical and electrical products and manufacturing processes. Robert was recognised as an MIP Rising Star in 2020 and 2021.
Robert's relevant experience includes:
- securing patent or design protection for a variety of technologies including 3D printing, building products, control systems, healthcare products, LNG/H2 production, mining and machine learning;
- patent opposition proceedings in fields including mining products and manufacturing of consumables;
- IP ownership disputes in multiple jurisdictions;
- providing strategic IP advice to clients in relation to validity and freedom to operate in fields such as automotive, building and construction, healthcare, oil and gas and mining;
- providing specialist support in patent and design enforcement;
- assisting with IP enforcement in China and defending against patent trolls in the US;
- carrying out IP due diligence;
- IP portfolio management; and
- IP reviews to identify opportunities for protecting and commercialising IP.
Prior to joining the IP profession, Robert worked as a mechanical engineer for EV Engineering. EV Engineering was a collaborative venture supported by leading Australian automotive suppliers, Air International, Bosch, Continental, Futuris, GE and electric car infrastructure provider, Better Place, to develop proof of concept electric vehicles. At EV Engineering, Robert was responsible for the concept, design and manufacture of many key mechanical and electrical systems, including components of the battery pack hardware to allow automated switching.