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

While New Zealand innovators historically have been less than impressive at leveraging their innovation to generate profit from international markets, Oceanfit Limited is seizing the opportunity.Read more

Sometimes the most genius of ideas are born from looking at a problem through a different lens. Brothers Frank and Paul Austin can certainly attest to that. They invented ZYclip, a screw-less eyeglass frame design that revolutionises the way Eyewear frames can be built.Read more

The highly anticipated appeal judgment in Encompass Corporation Pty Ltd v InfoTrack Pty Ltd was handed down on Friday by a Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia. Here is a summary of the findings and some comments on the possible implications for computer-implemented inventions in New Zealand.Read more

Changes to the Australian Competition and Consumer Act 2010 came in to force on 13 September 2019. Businesses with IP arrangements in Australia should review these to ensure that they comply with the amendments. We summarize the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission guidelines. Read more

Three days after launching in New Zealand, Kogan Mobile received a legal letter from Spark claiming a "passing-off" breach of the Fair Trading Act (1986) and saying it reserved its right to take legal action. James & Wells Senior Associate, Sebastien Aymeric spoke to the Herald about the situation.Read more

The Court of Appeal recently released its well-reasoned and articulate decision in Zhang v Sealegs International Limited [2019] NZCA 389 (“Sealegs”), detailing the difference between ‘original’ in the ordinary sense of the word and ‘original’ in copyright law.Read more

The Contempt of Court Bill 2018 (“Contempt Bill”) passed its third reading in the House on 20 August 2019 and is at the time of writing awaiting royal assent.Read more

As proud sponsors of the New Zealand Food Awards we are delighted to see which products have been announced as this year's finalists.Read more

House, car and contents. Health, life and income. Liability, assets and interruption. These are all types of personal and business insurance commonly available in New Zealand. What is not commonly available in New Zealand is insurance cover for IP claims.Read more