What makes a design “new or original”? As design registration litigation is rare in New Zealand, this has not been comprehensively considered for 15 years. A recent IPONZ decision prompted the Assistant Commissioner to re-cap and summarise the relevant principles. Read more. Read more

James & Wells' operating hours over the Christmas & New Years. Read more

The New Zealand Patents Amendment Regulations 2019 (“the 2019 Regulations”) were recently signed into force and will have effect from 13 February 2020. The 2019 Regulations introduce a raft of changes to the official fees for the patent process in New Zealand, affecting examination, annuity and renewal, amendment and administration costs for New Zealand patent rights.Read more

There seems little doubt that the New Zealand economy is heading for stormy seas. So, what, as a business owner, can you do – and should you do – to steady your IP ship for the choppy seas ahead?Read more

Congratulations to all the winners at last nights' New Zealand Food Awards, particularly The Pure Food Co who won the James & Wells Business Innovation Award and the Massey University Supreme Award.Read more

Copyright protects the expression of a person’s ideas. But if a person did not make those choices and instead they were AI-generated, who owns copyright?Read more

Businesses wanting to promote their services and products by hitching their wagon to popular brands such as the All Blacks and the Rugby World Cup, risk - like many of the players - being red or yellow carded.Read more

After substantial growth in the last year, intellectual property (IP) firm James & Wells has moved to a new CBD office in Grey Street.Read more

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand has announced changes to its official fees which will come into force on 13 February 2020. Read more.Read more

August 15, 2019 saw the merger of two of Australia’s three listed IP firm holding companies – with IPH acquiring Xenith in its entirety - and consequently, an uncertain future for the remaining IP holding company, QANTM.  Clients, already starved of choice, will find themselves with even less choice and increased conflict of interest risks in this new landscape.Read more

After seven years in Riccarton following the 2011 earthquake, James & Wells intellectual property law firm has relocated to central Christchurch with a new office on High Street.Read more

The NZ Herald sought expert opinion from Senior Associate, Sebastien Aymeric, on a potential US trade dress infringement of Allbirds shoes by Amazon. Read more