International Trade
- Our IP/Technology focused market leading tax and Customs/trade team has assisted some of the world's major manufacturers in relation to transfer pricing disputes, process trade audits, Customs investigations, structuring of employment compensation arrangements, R&D incentive plannings and the taxation aspects of licensing and restructurings in the Asia Pacific region. Our firm was given the Tax Advisor of the Year Award in 2013, despite stiff competition from the larger law and accounting firms. Included in our tax team are lawyers, consultants and financial consultants. Some of our people have focused on China/international Customs matters for over 20 years. Our more recent work in this area, during the last 12 months, includes:
- Advising a US sensors and controls company on processing trade and strategies to minimise duties in China and the Asian region
- Representing a US auto company in Customs and Tax audits in China
- Advising embassy staff, and their clients, in relation to international trade issues associated with wine, beef and other products
- Advising a US electronics company on HS code classification issues and related disputes in China
- Advising an Australian sports goods company on Customs disputes relating to licensing issues and technology export issues
- Advising an iconic US electronics company on China Customs and Tax issues associated with processing trade, import and export, and anti-smuggling issues
- Representing a US entertainment products manufacturer in Customs investigations in the Hong Kong SAR
- Representing a major US based computer chip manufacturer and enhancer on trademark and intellectual property registration matters in Australia, China, the UK, the EU, Japan and Korea
- Representing a US events management company icon on trademark and passing off litigation in Australia regarding knock-off brands and acts of unfair competition
- Representing Chinese marine companies, US musical instrument companies, US and Australian medical device companies in UK, Australian and New Zealand trademark registration matters
- Representing US medical MNCs in the creation of Chinese character brands, and registration in China, including clearance
- Advising the China offices of a major US electronics company on corporate taxation issues, as well as the structuring of expatriate packages
- Acting as second opinion provider for a major accounting and consulting firm regarding taxation issues arising in several large mergers and acquisitions
"Listed as a leading corporate/IP lawyer by various industry publishers including Euromoney, Chambers & Partners, China Law and Practice, and the Legal 500, Mr Murphy is recognised as one of the most influential people in foreign andChinese IP Law ... The MMLC team is committed to corporate social responsibility through supporting and raising funds for charities such as World Vision, the SmithFamily and UNICEF. On a personal level, Mr Murphy has been an active pro bono contributor for more than 10 years to the World Bank’s Doing Business Project for China and the World Justice Project for China. In 2015, he authored the China Legal Aid report for the United Nations Development Program." - Australia China Alumni Awards 2016.
"In Vuly’s case, that “right person” has been Matthew Murphy, a co-founder ofthe MMLC Group whom Andon hired during Vuly’s bootstrapping phase despite the lawyer’s blue chip clientele. “Matt’s one of the most influential people in Chinese IP law,he’s bilingual, he knows everyone, he’s been a great friend and protector of ours.” Clearly Murphy’s contacts extend to the State Intellectual Property Office, a body which Andon acknowledges has been a source of frustration for Australian innovators in the past." - Business Review Weekly September 2014.