Implementation of the New Zealand Patents Act 2013 in September 2014 marked a significant milestone for the intellectual property (IP) landscape in New Zealand. It represented the most significant legislative reform of New Zealand's patent system in 60 years, and brought with it several months of intense preparation and focus to make the transition as smooth as possible for our clients.
We are particularly delighted therefore, to announce that AJ Park has again won international recognition from Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) as New Zealand's leading patent firm for the fourth consecutive year.
Publishers of the IAM Patent 1000, IAM said 'AJ Park is unrivalled on the New Zealand patent scene; its ability to handle a high volume of extremely complex cases puts it a tier above anyone else.'
Six AJ Park partners were singled out for this year's publication, demonstrating the depth and breadth of our firm's expertise.
Matt Adams is quoted as being known for his 'rigorous drafting' and for his 'cutting-edge expertise in cyber-physical systems and cloud computing.'
Anton Blijlevens is recognized for being 'a nurturing carer' for start-ups, and an 'invaluable patent manager' for leading innovators.
Michael Brown is quoted as being 'an authority on designs' and a 'touchstone lawyer for those in the food and engineering sectors'.
Anton Gibson, head of the Auckland life sciences team, is regarded as 'exceptional' at tailoring advice to suit the needs of his clients, whether they are multinational pharmaceutical companies or emerging start-ups.
Kim McLeod, who leads the firm's litigation practice, received recognition for 'building on his extensive commercial dispute resolution experience', and knowing how to 'craft arguments that will win the day'.
Greg West-Walker is said to have 'an instinctive understanding of which assets will have the most strategic long-term value'.
In its fourth year, the IAM Patent 1000 is compiled following an extensive research process involving 1500 interviews with attorneys at law, in-house counsel, and patent attorneys to identify firms and individuals considered to be leaders in the field. For an individual to make the list, sufficient positive feedback is required from peers and clients with knowledge of their practice and the market in which they operate. Firms are qualified for inclusion based on market presence, depth of expertise and the level of work on which they are typically engaged. IAM regard firms and individuals that achieve 'gold band' rankings as the 'crème de la crème'.
