Alan specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, with expertise that includes large commercial and contract disputes, intellectual property and information technology litigation, media law and defamation.

Alan provides legal and tactical advice on the resolution of a diverse range of commercial disputes and litigation.  He has acted in many large commercial and contract disputes.

Alan heads the firm's Intellectual Property Group and has particular expertise in intellectual property advice and litigation including infringement of copyright, trade marks, patents, the Fair Trading Act, passing-off and misuse of confidential information; and also advice and litigation involving computer software and other information technology issues, including disputes as to ownership of software, performance of software, domain name disputes, and email and internet defamation.

Alan has extensive experience in media law and defamation, Commerce Commission investigations, other Fair Trading Act disputes and advertising issues.

Chambers Global 2008 hails Alan as "one of the firm's standout guys for IP and IT matters", and as being "favoured by clients for his commercial advice".

Qualifications

LLB, University of Auckland

Admitted

1984 New Zealand

Publications

Contact

Email: Alan Ringwood

DDI: 64 9 916 8925

Mobile: 64 21 661 724

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Areas of Expertise

Recent Work

Major copyright ownership dispute
Acted for software developer in High Court proceedings involving disputed ownership of copyright in a computer programme and damages claims of US$20 million.  Believed to be New Zealand's largest copyright infringement claim.

Major contract/commercial dispute in relation to industrial equipment
Defending High Court proceedings on behalf of a German multinational involving damages claims in excess of $20 million relating to allegedly defective industrial equipment and also involving alleged misrepresentation and patent issues.

Significant defamation proceedings
Defending High Court proceedings on behalf of New Zealand's leading daily newspaper in which damages in excess of $30 million are sought by a fishing company and two directors in relation to allegedly defamatory reporting of issues relating to fishing quota allocation.  Believed to be the largest defamation claim brought in New Zealand.

Domain Name dispute resolution
Acted successfully in the first domain name claim lodged with New Zealand's new domain name dispute service to protect the intellectual property rights of New Zealand's leading coach line.

Opposing internet defamation claim
Acted successfully on behalf of major Australian newspaper in having a defamation claim against it based on publication on its website dismissed.