THE ban on software patents in New Zealand was recently more or less expanded to Australia (not just the USPTO). In fact, IP Australia is being sued over it.

"Shelston IP has, in our experience, become a sworn foe of software developers both in Australia and in New Zealand."Shelston IP's Gareth Dixon and Jessica Chadbourne have just published this article amid restrictions on patent scope. As a reminder, Shelston IP Pty Ltd has been pushing software patents agenda and also patents on life (they are patent maximalists, as we noted here many times before) and they're meddling even in New Zealand (in spite of being an Australian firm). We previously showed how it was maligning developers who had successfully opposed software patents. Now here they are belittling their opposition as usual. To quote: "Conspiracy theories outlining coordinated parliamentary schedules tend not to hold much water. However, if it’s mere coincidence that sees second-tier patents regimes being considered simultaneously across Australia and New Zealand, then, as proponents of such regimes, we’ll take it."

Shelston IP has, in our experience, become a sworn foe of software developers both in Australia and in New Zealand. With derogatory terms, too. ⬆