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Diff: MeetingTopics.2005-07-25
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Newer page: version 7 Last edited on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 7:55:21 pm by JohnMcPherson
Older page: version 6 Last edited on Friday, October 7, 2005 10:20:26 pm by JohnMcPherson Revert
@@ -25,14 +25,28 @@
  
 !!Patents 
 Until recently, software could not be patented in NZ at all. 
 The key clause is "method of manufacture", and this has been re-interpreted to (sometimes?) include software when combined with hardware. 
-In NZ, patents last for 20 years. 
+NZ is a signatory to the Patent Cooperation Treaty - 18 months of protection in ~~100 countries.  
+  
+ In NZ, patents last for 20 years. The benefit of the doubt (during application) goes to the patentee, because there are methods for revocation -- IPONZ review and judicial review.  
+  
  
 !!Trademark 
 * For product identification 
 * not "lauditary" - ie, generally can't trademark names, placenames, sports clubs, etc. 
-* Trademarks not limited to words - the Harley-Davidson "sound", specific colours (eg the yellow used by the yellow pages or by MacDonalds ). 
+* Trademarks not limited to words - the Harley-Davidson "sound", specific colours (eg the yellow used by the yellow pages or by ~McDonalds ). 
 * Common law trademark is based on local reputation, and does not require registration. 
 * Registered trademark is national. 
  
-( to be completed)  
+!!Other  
+* Trade secrets, "know-how"  
+* circuit boards  
+* Patent application process  
+* 85% of many companies is now "intangibles" -- brand value, trademarks, etc.  
+  
+!!General Discussion/Q-and-A session  
+* moral/ethical aspects of patents  
+* drug patents  
+* cheaper to license a patent and get on with life than fight a bad patent  
+* employment contracts claiming rights to any employee's ideas.  
+* funny patents