Dr Paula Zito is a Lecturer in Law and Supervising Solicitor of the Legal Advice Clinic at UniSA Justice & Society. She is also a Commercial and Intellectual Property lawyer. Dr Zito has taught in numerous Law courses at both UniSA and Adelaide University since 2009, including Business Law, Commercial Transactions, Contract Law, Intellectual Property and Property Law. She has much enthusiasm and passion for all the courses that she teaches and enjoys using her experience of teaching and legal practice to experiment with course design and innovation to create courses that provide students with practical and quality legal education. Dr Zito brings her practical experience to her teaching, successfully explaining legal rules and ... Read more
About me
Dr Paula Zito is a Lecturer in Law and Supervising Solicitor of the Legal Advice Clinic at UniSA Justice & Society. She is also a Commercial and Intellectual Property lawyer. Dr Zito has taught in numerous Law courses at both UniSA and Adelaide University since 2009, including Business Law, Commercial Transactions, Contract Law, Intellectual Property and Property Law. She has much enthusiasm and passion for all the courses that she teaches and enjoys using her experience of teaching and legal practice to experiment with course design and innovation to create courses that provide students with practical and quality legal education. Dr Zito brings her practical experience to her teaching, successfully explaining legal rules and principles in an innovative way that students can understand so that they feel confident in applying them. Dr Zito was nominated for for a 2022 Australian Legal Eduation Award in the category of 'Excellence in Teaching (Sessional)' for implementing practical and interactive currciulum and innovative and engaging teaching methods that inspire students to learn and confidently apply the law.
Dr Zito is a passionate, dynamic and respected researcher in Intellectual Property, Commercial Law, Food Law and Property Law. She publishes frequently in print and online medias as well as national and international academic journals and is often interviewed on topical legal issues, particulary in her area of expertise: Intellectual Property and Geographical Indications.
Dr Zito is a member of a range of professional and community bodies including being a Committee Member of the Geographical Indications Sub-Committee of the Intellectual Property Committee of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. She has formed a strong nexus between her research and industry and government to solve real-world issues and make steafast contributions to Australian laws and communities.
About me
Academic Board University of South Australia, Academic Representative Justice & Society
Committee Member of the Geographical Indications Sub-Committee of the Intellectual Property Committee of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
South Australian Chapter Committee Member of the Intellectual Property Scoiety of Australia and New Zealand (IPSANZ)
Friend/Associate of the Barossa Regions Residents Association
Member of the Australasian Intellectual Property Academics Association (AIPA)
Member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia (ICCI)
Member of the Australasian Law Academics Association (ALAA)
Member of the Intellectual Property & Innovation Researchers of Asia (IPIRA)
Member of the Intellectual Property Research Institute of Australia (IPRIA)
Member of the International Association for the Advancement in Teaching and Research of Intellectual Property (ATRIP)
Member of the International Wine Law Association (AIDV IWLA)
Member of the Law Society of South Australia
About me
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 21/04/2023 |
Prosecco wars: Australian winemakers fear 'devastating' impacts of EU naming row, SBS https://www.sbs.com.au/language/italian/en/article/prosecco-wars-australian-winemakers-fear-devastating-impacts-of-eu-naming-row/dkj22i3t1 |
| 04/04/2023 |
The "Prosecco War" between European Union and Australia, SBS https://www.sbs.com.au/language/italian/it/podcast-episode/la-guerra-del-prosecco-tra-europa-e-australia/sx0se6nfv |
| 16/11/2019 |
Why our Kransky may soon become a Vansky, The Advertiser https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ |
| 28/10/2019 |
Geographical Indications conference, Il Globo https://ilglobo.com/ |
About me
Doctor of Philosophy The University of Adelaide
Bachelor of Arts The University of Adelaide
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) The University of Adelaide
Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy The University of Adelaide
Honours Degree of Bachelor of Laws The University of Adelaide
Degree of Bachelor of Arts The University of Adelaide
Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice The University of South Australia
Practical Legal Training Law Society of South Australia
Admission
Admission to practice as a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of South Australia, Supreme Court of South Australia
Admission to practice as a Solicitor and Barrister in any federal court of Australia, High Court of Australia
Work History
Current Lecturer of Law, Supervising Solicitor of the Legal Advice Clinic, The University of South Australia, Justice & Society
Current Solicitor and Legal Consultant
2009-2022 Associate and Sessional Teacher, The University of Adelaide
2021 Course Co-Ordinator and Lecturer of Intellectual Property, The University of Adelaide
2002-2009 Senior Associate, DLA Phillips Fox Adelaide
1999-2002 Associate, Minter Ellison Lawyers
2000 Secondment to AGL South Australia Pty Ltd, In-House Lawyer
1997-1999 Solicitor, Donaldson Walsh Lawyers
1998 Tutor, Adelaide Law School, The University of Adelaide
1996-1998 Tutor, Vocational Language Learning Centre
Dr Zito's research areas fall into two main categories: Intellectual Property and Property Law. She has a broad deptth of expertise and research in Intellectual Property (IP) across all its regimes having practiced in the area since 1999. Dr Zito's specialist expertise and research lie in trade marks, geographical indicaitons, brand protection and management for businesses. With a doctorate in this subject area, awarded by the University of Adelaide in February 2018, and regularly advising on IP issues to government and industry, Dr Zito is well known for her work and often interviewed on topical IP issues. Given her high-quality research and expertise in IP, she was invited to be a Committee Member of the Geographical... Read more
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2023 |
3
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2024 |
Open access
|
| 2024 |
|
| 2021 |
2
1
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2020 |
1
|
| 2019 |
1
|
| 2019 |
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
|
| 2021 |
|
Journal Articles
"Australian Geographical Indications: Preotecting the Connection between Product and Place," Intellectual Property Forum, 2024, Issue 137, 33-38
"Current and Future Protection of Geographical Indications in Australia," Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice, 2021, Vol 16, Issue 4-5, 348-356
"Protection of Australian Regional Names as Food Geographical Indications - South Australian Case Study - Part 2," Australian Intellectual Property Journal 31(4)
"Protection of Australian Regional Names as Food Geographical Indications - South Australian Case Study - Part 1," Australian Intellectual Property Journal 31(1)
"Australian Laws and Regulations on Regional Branding on Food and Wine labels: Part 2," Australian Intellectual Property Journal 29(3)
"Australian Laws and Regulations on Regional Branding on Food and Wine labels: Part 1," Australian Intellectual Property Journal 29(2)
Book Chapters
Intellectual Property Chapter in Contemporary Australian Business Law, Cambrdige University Press - due to be published end of 2022
Recommendation Reports
"Review of Form 1 Vendor's Statements Consultation Paper," January 2022, UniSA Research Team
'Review of Form 1 Vendor's Statements Recommendations Report, March 2022, UniSA Research Team
"Recommendations for an Australian Food Geographical Indications Framework," October 2020, Intellectual Property Australia
"Recommendations for an Australian Food Geographical Indications Framework," February 2020, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
"Geographical Indications and Trade Mark Report for World Trade Advisors," December 2018, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, World Trade Organisation
Other outputs
"Prosecco wars: Australian winemakers fear 'devastating' impacts of EU naming row," April 2023, SBS Italian
"The Prosecco war between Europe and Australia," April 2023, SBS Italian
"Australia: Food GIs: What is their worth for Australia?," November 2019, oriGIn (European publication)
"Geographical Indication Registrations: What is their worth? Comparing Geographical Indication Registrations Between Australia and Italy," July 2019, Opinion - Institute of International Trade, The University of Adelaide
"Protezione IG in Australia, un Processo in Corso," May 2019, Consortium (Italian and European publication, published in Italian)
Research
Dr Zito's research areas fall into two main categories: Intellectual Property and Property Law. She has a broad deptth of expertise and research in Intellectual Property (IP) across all its regimes having practiced in the area since 1999. Dr Zito's specialist expertise and research lie in trade marks, geographical indicaitons, brand protection and management for businesses. With a doctorate in this subject area, awarded by the University of Adelaide in February 2018, and regularly advising on IP issues to government and industry, Dr Zito is well known for her work and often interviewed on topical IP issues. Given her high-quality research and expertise in IP, she was invited to be a Committee Member of the Geographical Indications Sub-Committee of the Intellectual Property Committee of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. The Committee advises government and industry on IP issues and provides recommendations on how IP laws should be reformed and/or drafted to address such issues. Dr Zito has formed a strong nexus between her research in IP and industry and government and has advised the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Intellectual Property Australia (IPA) on the potential for a new IP framewok in Australia concerning food labelling and geographical indications (GI). This is a topical issue arising out of negotiations between Australia and the European Union in context of the Free Trade Agreement (Aus-EUFTA). Dr Zito's recommendations have been published and implemented by DFAT and IPA in determining what a new food GI framework could look like for Australia.
In addition to her high-quality scholarship and research in IP, Dr Zito has also been a Research Fellow at UniSA Justice & Society as part of a research team led by Professor Vicki Waye, Dean of Law, undertaking a research project involving the review of the Form 1 Vendor's Statement mandated by section 7 of the Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994 (SA). The project is approved and supported by Consumer and Business Services SA (CBS) and is a collaborative project between UniSA and CBS designed to better understand the deficiencies of the current Form 1 disclosure regime and to inform possible subsequent reforms to the regime. The project provides a unique multidisciplinary vehicle for exploring how best to balance legal compliance requirements with users' informational needs. As the exclusive Research Fellow for the project, Dr Zito has been active in analysing current laws and legal requirements pertaining to the completion of the Form 1 and its equivalent Australia wide, as well as uncovering evidence that will lead to a better design of forms and processes for vendor disclosure.
Overall, Dr Zito's research is contributing to solving real-world issues and providing recommendations that have practical significance and application for government, industry and the broader community.
Since 2019, Dr Zito has advised the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Intellectual Property Australia (IPA) on the potential for a new IP framework in Australian concerning food labelling and Geographical Indications (GI). This is a highly topical issues arising out of current negotiations between Australia and the European Union in context of the Free Trade Agreement (Aus-EUFTA). Dr Zito's recommendations have been published and implemented by both DFAT and IPA in determining what a new food GI framework could look like for Australia.
Additionally, Dr Zito has been invited to be a Friend/Associate of the Barossa Region Residents Association (BRRA) given her ongoing work in the Barossa Valley since 2014, advising on Intellectual Property (IP) issues, particularly regional branding and usage of the name 'Barossa.' Dr Zito is the only academic to be on the BRRA Committee and regularly advises on IP issues that impact and affect the region. She is a key contributor to the region's 'Think Tank' programme.
Dr Zito also works closely with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia (ICCI) by advising and presenting on IP issues and comparative IP and international trade law issues between the European Union and Australia. She is a 'go to' consultatnt for ICCI, often invited to be a keynote speaker and ambassador for ICCI events and projects including the 'True Italian Taste Authentic Italian Table' project. This is a global project promoted and financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation that aims to educate, leverage and support certified Italian food and beverages outside of Italy. This project includes educational workshops and seminars, for which Dr Zito is a preferred presenter and consultant of ICCI.
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Australian Geographical Indications: Protecting the Connection between Product and PlaceLaw Society of South Australia International Legal Practice Committee |
2024 |
Bringing the workplace into the academic classroomAustralian Clinical Education Network (ACEN) |
2024 |
AssociateBarossa Region Residents Association |
2023 |
Committee MemberLaw Council of Australia-Geographical Indications Sub-Committee |
2023 |
Committee MemberIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2023 |
ConsultantDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
2023 |
ConsultantIntellectual Property of Australia |
2023 |
Geographical Indications: Update on the Aus-EU FTA - Keynote speakerIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2023 |
MemberAustralian Intellectual Property Academics Association |
2023 |
MemberItalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
2023 |
RefereeMonash University |
2023 |
AssociateBarossa Region Residents Association |
2022 |
Committee MemberLaw Council of Australia-Geographical Indications Sub-Committee |
2022 |
Committee MemberIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2022 |
ConsultantDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
2022 |
ConsultantIntellectual Property of Australia |
2022 |
MemberAustralian Intellectual Property Academics Association |
2022 |
MemberItalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
2022 |
Plenary speakerIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2022 |
RefereeMonash University |
2022 |
Round table discussions on Geographical Indications - Invited submission to public inquiry and consultation processAustralian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, IP Australia |
2022 |
SpeakerWIPO Worldwide perspectives on GIs |
2022 |
AssociateBarossa Region Residents Association |
2021 |
Australian Food Geographical Indications - Keynote speakerIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2021 |
Committee MemberLaw Council of Australia-Geographical Indications Sub-Committee |
2021 |
Committee MemberIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2021 |
ConsultantIntellectual Property of Australia |
2021 |
ConsultantDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
2021 |
Geographical Indications: what is their worth for regulating the connection between regional food and origin - Keynote speakerIntellectual Property & Innovations Researchers Asia |
2021 |
MemberAustralian Intellectual Property Academics Association |
2021 |
MemberItalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
2021 |
RefereeMonash University |
2021 |
Round table discussions on Geographical Indications - Invited submission to public inquiry and consultation processAustralian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, IP Australia |
2021 |
SpeakerItalian Chamber of Commerce & Industry |
2021 |
SpeakerIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2021 |
SpeakerIntellectual Property & innovation Researchers Asia |
2021 |
True Italian Masterclass - Keynote speakerItalian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Australia |
2021 |
True Italian Taste Authentic Italian Table series - invited speakerItalian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Australia |
2021 |
A new GI regulation for Australia - Keynote speakerAustralian National University Centre for European Studies |
2020 |
AssociateBarossa Region Residents Association |
2020 |
Committee MemberIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2020 |
ConsultantIntellectual Property of Australia |
2020 |
ConsultantDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
2020 |
Food Geographical Indications - Invited submission to public inquiry and consultation processAustralian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Industries, Intellectual Property Australia |
2020 |
FoodFutures in the Anthropocene - Keynote speakerUniversity of Tasmania |
2020 |
MemberAustralian Intellectual Property Academics Association |
2020 |
MemberItalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
2020 |
RefereeMonash University |
2020 |
SpeakerEuropean Union Delegation to Australia |
2020 |
Committee MemberIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2019 |
ConsultantIntellectual Property of Australia |
2019 |
ConsultantDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
2019 |
Food Geographical Indications - Keynote speakerIntellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand |
2019 |
Food Geographical Indications: What is their worth? - Keynote speakerIP Academics Australia |
2019 |
From Paddock to Plate - Keynote speakerAmerican Chamber of Commerce Industry |
2019 |
Geographical Indications - Keynote speakerEU Delegation to Australia, Italian Ambassador to Australia |
2019 |
MemberAustralian Intellectual Property Academics Association |
2019 |
MemberItalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
2019 |
RefereeMonash University |
2019 |
Speaker and Panel MemberAmerican Chamber of Commerce & Industry |
2019 |
The EU experience on Geographical Indications - Invited submission to public inquiry and consultation processEU Delegation to Australia |
2019 |
ConsultantDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
2018 |
ConsultantIntellectual Property of Australia |
2018 |
MemberItalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
2018 |
As Dr Zito's doctorate research included an analysis of comparative Intellectual Property and international trade laws between the European Union (EU) and Australia, she consequently has a strong reputation in the EU, particularly in Italy and Switzerland. Dr Zito has collaborated with, advised and published on these issues in the EU, with two main IP, trade and Geographical Indications (GI) organisations - Qualivita and oriGIn. Dr Zito is one of only two Australian member representatives of oriGIn, a leading EU GI specialist firm with which Dr Zito has engaged since 2019. As she is fluent in Italian, she often presents and publishes in Italian, reaching a wider and important audience.
Other external engagement and recognition
Committee Member of the Geographical Indications Sub-Committee of the Intellectual Property Committee of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
South Australian Chapter Committee Member of the Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand
Friend/Associate of the Barossa Region Residents Association
Member of the Australasian Intellectual Property Academics Association
Member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia
Referee, Monash University Law Review
Member Australasian Law Academics Association
Member Intellectual Property & Innovation Researchers of Asia
Member International Association for the Advancement in Teaching and Research of Intellectual Property
Member International Wine Law Association
Member Law Society of South Australia
Member Alumni Association University of Adelaide
Dr Zito has taught across several Law courses at both UniSA and the University of Adelaide since 2009. She has much enthusiasm and passion for all the subjects that she teaches and enjoys the challenge of teaching the law to students in a practical and engaging manner. She is committed to providing very concise, clear and useful explanations on complex areas of law to students, making the subject matter very interesting and presenting the content in an informative and clear manner to engage students. Dr Zito encourages divesity of answers from students in seminars and workshops, challenging students to apply the law that they are learning and to solidify their arguments with logical answers. She implements practical and interactive curriculum and innovative and engaging teaching methods to inspire students to learn and confidently apply the law. Dr Zito has a particular passion for contributing to curriculum design and development of law courses and programs.
Dr Zito was awareded the "2022 JUS TEaching & Learning Excellence Award" for 'Outstanding student evaluation of teaching scores in JUS course/s in 2022."
Dr Zito was also nominated for the 2022 "JUS Champion Award" in the Early Career Research category award for her consistent demonstration of the JUS core values and UniSA's core attributes, coupled with her otustanding performance.
Teaching & student supervision
