Matt Devine | Principal

Matt has particular expertise in patents, designs, copyright and related intellectual property (IP) work for electrical and mechanical engineering, telecommunications, and software technology.

Matt assists clients to utilise their IP as part of an overall commercial strategy, including:

advising clients on IP aspects of their business
advising on and implements strategies for utilising clients' IP in Australasia and internationally
obtaining patent and design protection, both in Australasia and internationally
conducting patentability and infringement searches and analyses.

Without that IP protection, your company's not worth anything. AJ Park knows the systems around the world and they gave us really good advice.
- Greig Brebner, Blunt Umbrellas

Clients

Matt works with a range of corporates, SMEs, start-ups and individuals. He works or has worked for:

Tait Electronics
Industrial Research
Navman.

Previous work

He gained experience on the European patent system working for a specialist electronics and software patent attorney practice in London.

Matt initially started at the Wellington office of AJ Park in 1990, before working for a period in Europe. He returned to work for AJ Park in the Auckland office in 2005.

Industry accolades

named a global leader for patents in the 2020 edition of Who's Who Legal.
named a national and global leader for patents in the 2021 edition of Who's Who Legal
selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2023 Best Lawyers in New Zealand™ in the field of IP law

Services

Expertise

Qualifications

BE (Hons) Electronic and Electronic Engineering, University of Canterbury
LLB, University of Auckland (2011)
Registered Patent Attorney (New Zealand & Australia)
Admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand

Veriphi \ First, do no harm

Exciting technology developed by Kiwi startup Veriphi could prevent medication errors that kill and injure millions each year.

First, do no harm

Matt Devine's insights

Article \ 1 Apr 2022

Update to the EPO Guidelines for Examination

On the 1 March 2022, the newest edition of the European Patent Office’s (EPO) Guidelines for Examination came into force. James Richardson-Bullock and Matt Devine summarise the EPO’s recent update to the Guidelines.

Article \ 25 Mar 2022

Explained: The Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court

On 19 January 2022 the Unified Patent Court (UPC) entered its provisional application period. This period is expected to last approximately eight months and signals the formal start of preparations for establishing the UPC as a functioning body. This would include the appointment and training of judges, finalising the rules and procedures and trialling the numerous IT systems.

Client story \ 14 May 2014

The sky's the limit

Paul Barmes’ new suitcase, designed around the concepts of 'live.work.move', is a premium product with a global market.

In the 2009 movie Up…

Article \ 9 Aug 2013

Bilski still being used in the US for patent eligibility…

A recent post-verdict ruling of DDR Holdings, LLC v. Hotels.com shows that Bilski is still setting the precedent for computer-related inventions.

We recently…

Article \ 21 May 2013

Still no concrete approach for patent eligibility of computer-related inventions…

In a much awaited decision, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has released the results of its en banc hearing…

Article \ 9 May 2013

New Zealand Patents Bill on the move

A new Supplementary Order Paper has been released by the New Zealand Government clarifying the clause on patentabilty of computer programs.

Clause 10A…

Article \ 26 Feb 2013

To protect and serve

When innovators look to protect their creations, more often than not they consider patent protection, but ignore design protection.

This is understandable. Well…