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Software & ICT

Our software & ICT team can advise you on all aspects of intellectual property protection relating to software innovation, computer-implemented technology and telecommunications.

Software & ICT

Our software & ICT team can advise you on all aspects of intellectual property protection relating to software innovation, computer-implemented technology and telecommunications.

Software underpins vast swathes of technological and commercial innovation. It brings with it a unique set of intellectual property issues and solutions spanning many forms of IP, including know-how, confidential information, copyright, trade marks, licensing and patents. Our team has expertise across all of these areas, and in-depth experience advising clients of all sizes to help them navigate the issues.

Our ICT expertise is also deep and long-standing. We have managed large patent portfolios for global tech giants and advised clients of all sizes on many aspects of IP relating to the ICT industry.

With our skilled and experienced team, long and established reputation in the sector, it is easy to see why many big names in software & ICT trust us to protect their IP.

Meet our software & ICT experts

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Jonathan Lucas

Partner

Jonathan Lucas

Jonathan heads James & Wells’ Patents Team specialising in mechanical engineering, electronics, physics, telecommunications and software. He has a strong academic background in physics and many years’ patent attorney experience working across all these fields. He specialises in drafting patent…

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Nick Mountford

Partner

Nick Mountford

With over 25-years’ experience as a patent attorney in the engineering/ICT sector, Nick has helped numerous clients achieve commercially beneficial ownership and control of their IP, while mitigating against risks posed by competitors. His work centres on protecting clients’ innovations…

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Mike Flint

Partner

Mike Flint

Mike specialises in the electrical, electronics and software fields and has specialist knowledge of acquiring IP rights in the Asian market. He has a strong academic background having graduated with a first-class honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from…

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Ceri Wells

Partner

Ceri Wells

Ceri is a founding partner of James & Wells, a past president of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys, an experienced patent and trade mark attorney, and an outspoken champion of innovation. As an experienced lawyer and patent attorney…

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Tim Walden

Managing Partner

Tim Walden

Tim is the Managing Partner of James & Wells and specialises in trade mark law. Managing large trade mark portfolios, completing clearance investigations for new brands, devising filing strategies, establishing brand ownership, and enforcing trade marks overseas, are all part…

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Tonia Brugh

Partner

Tonia Brugh

Tonia is a dual qualified trade mark and intellectual property specialist, with over 20 years of domestic and international experience advising clients in this area. Tonia also has significant experience in the entertainment and IT sectors, including drafting, reviewing and…

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Kate Wilson

Consultant - IP Strategist

Kate Wilson

Kate, a former founding partner of James & Wells, is a registered patent attorney (in New Zealand and Australia), has degrees in physics and chemistry, and is internationally recognised as a leading IP strategist with particular experience in patent matters….

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Jason Tuck

Senior Associate

Jason Tuck

Ensuring businesses have sound commercial objectives in place, Jason provides advice on identifying, securing, and leveraging their IP – particularly in relation to patents and designs. Between local exporters and overseas companies entering New Zealand, Jason has experience in advising…

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Shaun Hagerty

Associate

Shaun Hagerty

Shaun is an Associate in the Hamilton Trade Marks team. Shaun also works in the Asia Division. He specialises in advising clients from a wide range of industries regarding the availability, protection and maintenance of their brands in New Zealand…

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Edward Chen

Associate

Edward Chen

Edward is a Taiwanese born and New Zealand educated trade mark lawyer with a background in commercial law. The majority of Edward’s work concerns trade mark law and practice, with a particular focus on registering and clearing trade marks for…

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Thomas Lieu

Trainee Patent Attorney

Thomas Lieu

Thomas joined the Melbourne Patents Team in 2023 after completing his Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, specialising in advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics. During his Honours, he worked on producing and analysing the viability of…

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Insights & Resources

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Copyright

NZ to laugh last? The spoof is in the pudding

New Zealand comedians and critics may be able to poke fun at and critique the world more freely if a Bill to amend the Copyright Act is passed. The Green Party’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was introduced on 7 November 2024. The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Copyright Act 1994...

IP update

New Zealand and China introduce Patent Prosecution Highway

On 1 November 2024, the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) launched a new Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot programme. The PPH programme is intended to run for at least two years (i.e. until 31 October 2026) and allows patent applicants to request accelerated examination of...

Innovation

Always look on the bright side of…AI

First published in Bay of Plenty Business News November 2024 edition In a recent blog post, Jonathan Tarud, the CEO of Koombea, an international digital product development company, stated1: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the major developments of our time. In particular, Machine Learning, and the implications that go with it, is shaking up many...

Innovation

Catalyst for Change – using IP Strategy to Unify Innovation Culture

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Peter Drucker – management consultant, educator, and author Within an innovative business there is often a spectrum of personality types, each with something to contribute to the business. However, each have differing mindsets and often clashing views around innovation, commercialisation and intellectual property. It is not until there is an...

Patents

Best method requirement in Australian and New Zealand Patent Law

A recent decision of Justice Burley in the Federal Court of Australia[1] has shone a light on the requirement of a patentee to disclose the best method of implementing his/her/its invention. In Australia[2], as in New Zealand[3], it is a requirement for the valid grant of patent rights that the patentee discloses “the best method...
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How we can help

Patents
Copyright
Trade Secrets & Non-Disclosure
Trade Marks
Domain Names
Fair Trade
Enforcement & Dispute Resolution
Licensing & Commercialisation
International Filings
Renewals & Maintenance

Your Champions of Innovation®

Since 1979, James & Wells has been at the forefront of innovation in Australasia. We are here to help you grow, leverage and protect your IP. Our depth of experience ranges from managing large IP portfolios for international corporations, right through to protecting the ideas of start-ups, and everything in between. No matter the size of your organisation, James & Wells are here to be your dedicated Champions of Innovation®.

We are a full-service IP firm – that means you will find everything you need to protect your IP just by working with us. We will help you with patents, trade marks, litigation and IP strategy – our people are externally recognised as some of the best in the business, and they work together to bring you custom-built IP solutions that are tailored exactly to your needs. When you work with James & Wells, you know you’re in a safe pair of hands, with a highly experienced team supporting you.

Talk to us today about how we can work together.

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