The new Patents Act 2013 is now in force. Any cases filed on or after 13 September 2014 (NZ time) will be treated as filed under the new Act. Any renewal fees paid on or after 13 September 2014 (NZ time) will be treated as paid under the new Act.
The most significant changes include tougher examination of patent applications, stricter deadlines, subject matter exclusions, more challenge options, and annual renewal fees. Read more about the changes in our latest article.
Information sheets
If you need a printed version for reference, you can download an information sheet:
Patents Act 2013 information sheet
Renewal and pre-grant maintenance fees information sheet