The trans-Tasman patent attorney regime has been given the go ahead after the Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Bill passed its third reading yesterday.

The key changes in the legislation include:

• Establishment of a single trans-Tasman patent attorney regime including a single qualification for registration and code of conduct.
• Creation of a single trans-Tasman patent attorney register.
• Removal of ‘unity of invention’ as a ground to oppose a patent being granted. This will apply retrospectively from 13 September 2014.

The new trans-Tasman patent attorney registration regime is expected to commence on 24 February 2017. Information on the transition from the current national registration regime to the new trans-Tasman patent attorney registration regime can be found here.

For more information on the Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, please visit the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.

Read Minister Goldsmith’s press statement.