Guy Burgess
Associate
LLB/BCom (Information Systems) - University of Auckland
Admitted 2001
Member of the Society for Computers & Law
Associate Member of the New Zealand Computer Society
Regular Computerworld contributor
Background
Guy joined Clendons as a solicitor in the firm's Technology practice in November 2000. In that capacity until 2004, Guy advised a variety of clients on intellectual property, software development, licensing, e-commerce, corporate/commercial and insurance matters. A key area of Guy's work was assisting a major international software firm in successully resolving contractual disputes involving multi-million dollar implementation projects arising in New Zealand, Australia, UK, US and South Africa.
Between 2005 and 2008, Guy was a director of a successful international IT consultancy and software house, providing advice and services on complex software development, outsourcing, system integration, hosted services and management projects. This included a 4 month secondment with a multi-national firm in Hong Kong in 2007.
Guy rejoined Clendons in 2008 as a Senior Solicitor.
Guy has a strong interest in technology law and advising clients on a range of commercial and corporate matters. He has acted on complex multi-national IT disputes and presented seminars and risk-management workshops for leading IT firms.
Practice areas
Information Technology law
Intellectual property
Corporate & commercial
Insurance and Risk Management
Dispute resolution
Recent work
- Establishing a joint-venture between a Japanese VC firm and an NZX-listed company.
- Redrafting international software license agreements to implement a "software-as-a-service" business model.
- Acting for an international firm on business acquisations.
- Assisting an Insurance Company with a review of their technology liability / professional indemnity policy.
- Advising technology firm on establishing Employee Share Option Scheme.
- International licensing agreements on behalf of a New Zealand-based IP holding company for use with its worldwide master sub-licensees.
- Advising start-ups on corporate structuring, licensing and IP protection.
- Advising New Zealand company on establishing a US subsidiary.
- Enforcing a client's trade marks.
- Acting for an international client in a successful mediation with an large listed firm.
- Advising on data hosting and other IT contracts.
- Assisting clients on employment matters.
- Preparing national retail / wholesale distribution agreements.
- Establishing Limited Partnerships.
- Advising on Joint Venture arrangements and disputes.
- Advising on liability of telecommunications suppliers.
- Documenting complex financial and security transactions.
Recent publications
Protecting IP in a post-software patent environment
Update on Enforceability of Website Terms
Protecting Intellectual Property from Trading Risks
Website disclaimers - yes, they do work
Computer program backups and the Copyright Act
Joint Ventures in Software Projects
A safe harbour from copyright infringement liability (Computerworld, June 2009)
Recent presentations
- Technology Liability - Lumley General Insurance "Your Edge" conference, SkyCity, September 2009
- Hosting Other People's Data - presentation to in-house counsel and technology clients, December 2008
Contact
DDI: +64-9-306 8003
Email: guy.burgess@clendons.co.nz