Pipers

Stay up to date with the latest intellectual property developments from New Zealand and around the world.

EPO Expands Official Fee Discount Eligibility for Micro-Entities

29th February 2024

From 1st April 2024 the EPO will allow applicants of any nationality or domicile that are deemed to be a micro-entity to get a 30% reduction in many key EPO official fees provided they have not filed five or more applications with the EPO in the last 5-years.

Divisional Deadlines Still Between a Rock and a Hard Place

22nd November 2023

In NXT Building System Pty Ltd 2023 NZIPOPAT 15 the Assistant Commissioner (AC) clarified that it is in principle possible to obtain an extension of time in which to request examination of a divisional patent application in New Zealand, in exceptional circumstances. The threshold for establishing exceptional circumstances is comparatively low because there is no requirement to prove that all parties involved acted with due diligence and prudence.

Fiji Set to Become Paris Convention Member

13th November 2023

On the 19th October 2023, Fiji deposited its instrument of accession to the Paris Convention, meaning the Paris Convention will enter into force for Fiji on the 19th January 2024.

Intellectual Property and Misuse of Market Power in New Zealand

1st November 2023

Recent changes to New Zealand’s Commerce Act 1986 enhanced the restrictions on the misuse of market power and also changed the extent to which intellectual property rights are an exception to the market competition that the Commerce Act promotes. Will attempts at enforcing IP Rights be seen as a misuse of market power?

Pipers Attorney Tom Robertson Elected as NZIPA President

12th October 2023

Pipers is pleased to announce that Tom Robertson was elected as the President of the New Zealand Intellectual Property Attorneys organisation (NZIPA) at the recent annual general meeting on 8th September 2023.