New Zealand bans some software patents

#1

Post by gcforky » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 11:37 AM UTC

New Zealand bans some software patents
zdnet.com

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#2

Post by klaut » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:15 PM UTC

I am really impressed lately with New Zealand (it started with this MP speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSGOK5jC9I).

Finally a country that is trying to correct the nonsense that are software patents.

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#3

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:18 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#4

Post by appleflaxen » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:21 PM UTC

Wow; go New Zealand.

First the sanity with due process in the Kim Dotcom case, and now this.

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#5

Post by bentoner » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:21 PM UTC

Have they banned them like Europe has, or have they actually banned them?

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#6

Post by devx » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:23 PM UTC

Wow. Despite all the lobbying, apparently democracy still works in some countries.

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#7

Post by 16s » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:24 PM UTC

Would it be possible for devs and small companies in other countries to take advantage of New Zealand laws without actually being there?

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#8

Post by crncosta » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:25 PM UTC

I am really glad this happened and hope other countries takes this as example.

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#9

Post by FOSSpatents » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:26 PM UTC

Not so fast. Spin doctoring is no substitute for substance.

As Caesar used to say, "fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt" (people are ready to believe what they want to be the case).

The fact of the matter is that New Zealand has passed a law with some restrictive language, but this is far from abolition. Broad swaths of software patents can still be granted.

Here's my more detailed take on it: http://www.fosspatents.com/2013/08/new-zealand-parliament-ad...

And this is what a publication read by patent lawyers says: http://www.iam-magazine.com/blog/Detail.aspx?g=96d4aeaf-dedf...

Re: New Zealand bans some software patents

#10

Post by timje1 » Wed, Aug 28, 2013, 12:26 PM UTC

The real test of this will be if software companies flood to New Zealand to tinker to their hearts content without fear of litigation... or if they flee NZ for fear of invalidating any patents they could have brought on their upcoming software.

I'd like to be able to say it will be the former, but I bet corporate lawyers will be pushing for the latter (if only out of a sense of self-preservation).