Matthias Dallmeier wrote:
And if we do not, we might as well start lobbying against them already.
We're all slightly late. A review was conducted over 2002/2003. A discussion document was circulated, submissions were received, and Cabinet released a policy document: http://www.med.govt.nz/buslt/int_prop/patentsreview/cabinet/index.html Don't fear, however. Although Cabinet decided that software will remain patentable "in principle", as it always has been, they have decided to legislate additional requirements (presently it only needs to be "a manner of new manufacture", which seems to exclude most software patents anyway). Patents will soon need to be "novel, involve an inventive step, and be useful". This is supposed to harmonise us with Australian's patent law, prior to their FTA with the US. In addition, the Commissioner of Patents will be restricted to only granting patents on the balance of probabilities. i.e. more likely to be upheld by a court than rejected. At present, they grant patents unless it is "practically certain" they will be rejected. I assume legislation will be forthcoming. Watch out for bills. -- Jason Le Vaillant