Media reports that software patents are to be banned in New Zealand are not wholly accurate.

The Patents Bill has some controversy over a proposed exclusion to patentability for inventions with computer programs.

Discusses the importance of IP protection for small businesses.

Often a client can be complacent about the perceived strength of barriers to entry to their competitors in a market. A good advisor challenges their clients’ assumptions so that they make decisions with a full knowledge of risks and costs.

If your biotech company is developing genetic products or methods, then you need to know that the laws of gene patentability could change in the United States and potentially elsewhere.

The Number 8 Wire mentality describes a Kiwi ability, borne out of isolation, to improvise and adapt, to solve problems.

Embedded software is patentable where it improves the operation of hardware, or it improves the way a computer runs.

A CIPO can add value in between blockbuster patents through good practices, by being kept informed of new developments.

This is a useful case study for intellectual property lawyers in NZ from a commercialisation and litigation perspective.

The US Supreme Court has issued its decision on the long-awaited Bilski case, confirming the broad range of patentable subject matter in the US.

A lack of coordination in a patent portfolio can lead to massive cost blow-outs, inconsistency between patents, invalidity concerns and fragmented protection. The converse however not only avoids the above problems, but also can lead to a tight package that can be readily worked, licensed or sold.

It is a misconception that company directors enjoy the benefit of limited liability for their actions as directors. As a number of recent decisions in the IP field illustrate, the converse is actually true – directors ‘enjoy’ unlimited liability.

As a patent attorney, one of the most frustrating experiences is seeing a client lose potential rights because they do not recognise they have something patentable.

Any company not having a proper understanding of intellectual property and how to manage it will most likely make expensive errors or miss lucrative opportunities.

The article discusses the Roadshow Films case and considers the likely consequences of the decision in New Zealand.

The changes to patent laws mean that examination of Australian patent applications will be tougher from 15 April 2013.

The article discusses Roadshow Films v iiNet Limited and considers the likely consequences of the case in New Zealand.

Brainstorming is planned so that participants are motivated to extract good ideas to be then plugged into the business.

Ben Cain discusses the use of descriptive or generic terms as trade marks in New Zealand.

The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Bill (Bill) introduced to the New Zealand Parliament in February of this year amends the Copyright Act 1994 (Act) to provide new enforcement measures against the unauthorised sharing of copyright material via the Internet. Remedies available include fines of up to $15,000 and temporary suspension of Internet accounts. The latter remedy, in particular, continues to generate controversy.