Applied Marks Pty Ltd is an incorporated entity owned by IPH Limited. IPH Limited (IPH), a public
company, is the holding company for an international network of intellectual property professional services
and adjacent businesses operating under different brands in a range of jurisdictions (each
entity or group of entities operating under a single brand is referred to as a Group
Business). For the purposes of the Australian and New Zealand Code of Conduct for Trans-Tasman Patent
and Trade Marks Attorneys 2018 (Code), Australian and New Zealand incorporated attorneys and
‘ancillary businesses’ within the IPH group (IPH Group) are also considered to be members of an
‘ownership group’ (members of the ownership group are identified below). * Applied Marks Pty Ltd is not an incorporated registered trade marks attorney under the Code but is an “ancillary business” member of the IPH Limited ownership group (members of the ownership group are identified below).*
The success of Applied Marks’ business and the success of our clients require us to deliver the
highest quality services, and to manage our group relationships so as to act always in our clients’
best interests. To ensure this, Applied Marks adheres to the following key principles.
Always act in the best interests of our clients
Applied Marks has as its first and primary obligation always to act in the best interests of its clients
and in accordance with the law.
Independent provision of professional services
Applied Marks operates independently from each other Group Business in its provision to clients of
professional services. Applied Marks and each other Group Business maintain separate case
management systems and no case related information is shared with another Group Business.
(Note: Applied Marks may in some cases refer clients to other Group Businesses for the provision
of certain services and information may be shared for that purpose.)
Active compliance with all legal and ethical requirements
Applied Marks actively complies with all applicable laws and regulations and privacy, competition
and consumer protection legislation.
Conflicts of interest
The IPH group structures and arrangements, including as to the separation and independent
provision to clients of professional services by each Group Business, ensures compliance with
legal and ethical requirements, including obligations under applicable Codes of Conduct, and
minimises the potential occurrence of conflicts.
Disclosure of group relationships and independence in tenders and proposals
Applied Marks is open and transparent about its relationship with IPH Limited and other Group
Businesses, including by expressly notifying its membership of the group in competitive proposals
and tenders. Unless advised to the recipient, Applied Marks and Group Businesses prepare all
tender responses and proposals independently from each other and do not share the content of
tenders or proposals with each other.
Sharing of information
To provide our services, Applied Marks relies upon certain back-office, non-professional services
provided by entities within the IPH Group that do not provide attorney services, such as information
technology, insurance, personnel, analysis, client support, finance and accounting services.
In addition, where reasonably necessary to satisfy corporate governance, management and reporting
responsibilities, such as financial and regulatory reporting, compliance, corporate accountability
and oversight and risk management responsibilities, Applied Marks may be required to share certain
information with IPH. Any information shared for such purposes is disclosed only to the extent
reasonably required, is used only for the purposes provided and remains subject to confidentiality.
Non-public client information is not shared with any other Group
Business (unless engaged as a foreign agent or lawyer), and all non-public information remains
subject to confidentiality and is not further used or disclosed.
Sharing of personal information
Personal information is collected and managed in accordance with applicable privacy and personal
data protection legislation in jurisdictions in which the relevant IPH Group Businesses have an
establishment. For more information on how we manage and share such
information see our Privacy Policy.
The proper management of these matters is of critical importance to Applied Marks and the IPH
Limited group to ensure the interests of our clients are not affected.
If you would like further information with respect to our approach to these matters, please contact
us.
* Members of the ownership group are AJ Park IP Limited (and affiliated company AJ Park Law Limited),
GH PTM Pty Ltd, GH Law Pty Ltd (each GH entity operates under the Griffith Hack brand in Australia),
Pizzeys Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys Pty Ltd, Spruson & Ferguson Pty Limited, Spruson & Ferguson
Lawyers Pty Ltd and Applied Marks Pty Ltd. Additional incorporated patent and trade mark attorney and
legal entities operating as ‘Smart & Biggar’, ‘Spruson & Ferguson’ and ‘Pizzeys’ form part of the
IPH Group outside of Australia and New Zealand.
Information on all legal entities forming part of the IPH Group is available at www.iphltd.com.au/about-iph.