Data Categorisation Invention Categorised as Unpatentable
In Thomson Reuters Enterprise Centre GmbH [2020] NZIPOPAT 7, the IPONZ Patent Hearing Office had its first opportunity, since the passing of New Zealand’s Patents Act 2013, to consider s 11, which excludes from patentability “computer programs as such”.
In Waterwipes Unlimited Co v Church & Dwight Co Inc 2021 NZIPOTM 2 the Assistant Commissioner held that Waterwipes Unlimited (WU) has not discharged its onus of demonstrating that its stylised application for WaterWipes is either inherently or factually distinctive for wipes consisting mainly of water.
Stricter Rules for .au Domain Name Licensing Imminent
Australia’s .au Domain Administration (auDA) organisation has given notice that .au domains will be subject to a raft of stricter rules when they are registered or next renewed from 12th April 2021.
US Trademark Amendment Act Will Provide New Procedures for Challenging Use Claims
The Trademark Modernisation Act 2020 has the focus of improving the accuracy and integrity of the register and seeks to achieve this through new procedures for challenging inaccurate claims of use in applications and registrations.