CRCs and Collaborations

Parties wishing to come together for a common goal need to choose the right structure. Consequences follow the decision to establish either an incorporated or unincorporated entity.

FAL understands these issues, and can advise you on the best arrangement. As well as the more traditional joint ventures, FAL has been providing legal services to CRCs and their participants since the beginning of the CRC program when we had involvement in drafting early model Commonwealth agreements. Our advice is informed by our extensive dealings with CRCs with considerable experience in diverse areas of science, government and industry.

We provide a full suite of legal services to CRCs advising on both legal and commercial strategy. Our experience is second to none.

The firm has acted for over 30 CRCs, more than any other firm, and provides ongoing advice and legal services to these CRCs on a wide range of issues.

Areas of expertise:

  • Developing & Reviewing CRC and other Grant Applications
  • Formation
  • Restructures
  • Taxation
  • Commercialisation of Technologies
  • Template Agreements
  • IP & Other Policies
  • Corporate Compliance & Management
  • Director's duties
  • Spin-off and commercial companies
  • Venture capital funding
  • Winding up

Examples of FAL projects:

  • Negotiation and contract documentation for an establishment, renewal and winding up of CRCs
  • Advising universities and CRCs on audit and compliance requirements
  • Advising on transparent and accountable decision-making frameworks
  • Drafting and advising in relation to the licensing of technologies, including the establishment of spin off and manufacturing companies
  • Representing the CRC Association in negotiations with and making submissions to the Australian Tax Office on tax matters effecting CRCs
  • Acting for a spin-off of a CRC, establishing a corporate vehicle to commercialise, and affecting the first and second round capital fund raising or the start-up company from a venture capitalist
  • Acting for a spin-off involving a CRC and one of its participants to commercialise innovative manufacturing technology for application in the vehicle and metal industry.
  • Working with a cardiac technology CRC, involving a venture capitalist and establishing a commercialisation vehicle, and on-sale of that vehicle to a major foreign listed company
  • Establishing a company using venture capital funds to develop and commercialise hearing aids and devices
  • Referral, where relevant, to a wide network of associates involved in capital markets, accounting, communication and other commercial areas.

 

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