On 15 Jul 2010 at 12:00, Bob Blick wrote:

> I'm having a hard time deciphering this article about New Zealand's
> upcoming patent laws:
> 
> http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister+announces+way+forward+software+patents
> 
> They say that software will be unpatentable but embedded inventions will
> be patentable, but do they mean just the overall device, or the device's
> firmware?

Yes, hard to decipher but after reading the article the only problem I have with it is 
the title which misleads the reader into thinking software patents are on the cards.

I think the gist of it is still no patents for software (embedded or otherwise). They 
say guidelines are to be developed for patenting of inventions containing embedded 
software - I read that as no change to existing patent law. Presumably there is 
sufficient scope already for patenting inventions or aspects of inventions without 
patenting software/firmware itself.

-- 
Brent Brown, Electronic Design Solutions
16 English Street, St Andrews,
Hamilton 3200, New Zealand
Ph: +64 7 849 0069
Fax: +64 7 849 0071
Cell: +64 27 433 4069
eMail:  brent.brown@clear.net.nz


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