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About the series
Macpherson Kelley and Sunshine Coast Council invite you to attend our “Freedom to Operate” sessions on the Sunshine Coast.
Proudly supported by the Manufacturing Excellence Forum, the Food & Agribusiness Network and Queensland Government, Macpherson Kelley invites you to attend our “Freedom to Operate” series, a practical program helping business owners, manufacturers, retailers, tech companies, food and beverage operators, and exporters spot legal and regulatory risks before they become costly problems.
Sessions cover trade marks, copyright, designs, patents, regulatory compliance, labelling, data transfers, and international expansion, equipping you to confidently assess whether your products, brand and business activities infringe someone else’s rights.
Whether you’re launching a product, a brand, or expanding overseas, knowing your risks early is critical to getting it right.
Presented by Mark Metzeling, Principal Lawyer IP, Trade and Technology.
Limited places available, be quick to secure your freedom ticket.
Event 1: Freedom to Operate for AI and Technology
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Venue: University of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre – Boardroom
A practical program covering how to conduct freedom to operate searches across trade marks, copyright, and regulatory & data transfer compliance. Whether you’re starting a technology business or developing new products, each session offers a deep dive into one area, so you leave knowing how to check if you’re infringing someone else’s IP, what to do if you are, and how to stay compliant with the regulations affecting your industry.
Session 1: 7:00am – 8:30am: Trade Marks
Session 2: 8:45am – 10:15am: Copyright Protection (including code and data)
Session 3: 10:30am – 12:00pm: Regulatory and Data Transfer Compliance
Come to one, two or all three sessions.
Event 2: Freedom to Operate for Manufacturers
Wednesday 30 September 2026
Venue: University of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre – Boardroom
A practical program covering how to conduct freedom to operate searches across trade marks, designs, and patents. Whether you’re starting a manufacturing business or developing new products, each session offers a deep dive into one area, so you leave knowing how to check if you’re infringing someone else’s IP and what to do if you are.
Session 1: 7:00am – 8:30am: Trade Marks
Session 2: 8:45am – 10:15am: Designs
Session 3: 10:30am – 12:00pm: Patents
Come to one, two or all three sessions.
Event 3: Freedom to Operate for Retailers
Thursday 1 October 2026
Venue: University of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre – Boardroom
A practical program covering how to conduct freedom to operate searches across trade marks, labelling, and designs and dupes, plus what to do if you manufacture your garments or products overseas. Whether you’re starting a fashion or consumer product business or developing new products, each session offers a deep dive into one area, so you leave knowing how to check if you’re infringing someone else’s IP, what to do if you are, and how to stay compliant with the regulations affecting your industry.
Session 1: 7:00am – 8:30am: Trade Marks and Labelling
Session 2: 8:45am – 10:15am: Designs and Dupes
Session 3: 10:30am – 12:00pm: Manufacturing in China
Come to one, two or all three sessions.
Event 4: Freedom to Operate for Food & Beverage
Friday 2 October 2026
Venue: University of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre – Boardroom
A practical program covering how to conduct freedom to operate searches across trade marks and recipe protection, plus how to stay compliant on regulatory issues including labelling, mandatory standards, and misleading and deceptive conduct. Whether you’re starting a food or beverage business or developing new products, each session offers a deep dive into one area, so you leave knowing how to check if you’re infringing someone else’s IP, what to do if you are, and how to stay compliant with the regulations affecting your industry.
Session 1: 7:00am – 8:30am: Trade Marks
Session 2: 8:45am – 10:15am: Recipe Protection
Session 3: 10:30am – 12:00pm: Regulatory Assistance (including labelling, mandatory standards, and misleading and deceptive conduct)
Come to one, two or all three sessions.
Event 5: Freedom to Operate for Exporters – What to Know Before You Go
Saturday 3 October 2026
Venue: Boardroom at the University of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre
A practical program covering freedom to operate searches, international trade mark protection, data transfer compliance, doing business in the EU, USA and China, and protecting your business through effective contracts and supplier agreements. Beyond the theory, the session will show you how to conduct these searches in practice, giving you tools you can apply immediately.
If you’re considering exporting services or products, this session offers valuable insight into the legal and commercial risks that can arise when entering new markets. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to identify potential IP risks, respond if issues arise, and navigate key compliance requirements with greater confidence, whether you’re planning your first export venture or expanding into new jurisdictions.
Agenda
7:30am: Start
7:45am – 8:15am: International Trade Mark Protection
8:15am – 8:45am: International Data Transfer and Storage Issues
8:45am – 9:00am: Break
9:00am – 9:30am: Doing Business in the EU
9:30am – 10:00am: Doing Business in the USA
10:00am – 10:30am: Doing Business in China
10:30am – 11:00am: Protecting Your Business Through Contracts, Supplier Agreements and Terms and Conditions
11:00am – 12:00pm: Networking
Event partners
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