Information Technology

The provision of legal services to the IT and media industries has been central to Baker & McKenzie's Australian and worldwide practice for many years. We currently have one of the most extensive IT practices in Australia. Our clients include suppliers and manufacturers, online service providers and multimedia companies, and clients acquiring companies primarily engaged in the IT industry. Few firms can match our depth of experience within Australia and internationally.

Our lawyers frequently advise clients on software licensing, agreements for the supply of hardware, software or data processing, software development agreements, R&D syndications, systems integration and related arrangements. We also offer expertise advising on outsourcing agreements, support and maintenance arrangements, and related issues such as staffing and consultancy, government contracts and tenders, and value added reseller, distribution and marketing agreements. As technology progresses the group is becoming increasingly involved in advising on issues of security and privacy, especially issues relating to the internet and electronic mail. Particular areas of expertise include providing services to clients who wish to invest in the development of products such as multimedia. In this area we have acted on behalf of content providers, investors and corporations acquiring the whole or a significant stake in multimedia development companies, as well as financiers of development projects and acquisitions. Baker & McKenzie was one of the first firms to offer specialist multimedia advice and has a very strong practice in this area.

Our Information Technology practice has advised on the following:

• Transactions, disputes and issues in relation to online commerce - these include the establishment of a joint venture for provision of online services and the establishment of Australia's first online brokerage
• Major outsourcing of all IT needs for a major energy company, insurance company and Australian bank
• The review of potential operations liabilities of a global online information provider
• Online disputes regarding copyright and domain name infringement
• Restructuring, review and negotiation of all issues relating to the staff transition in a major bank outsourcing contract