New Zealand’s parliament has passed legislation banning the use and enforcement of software patents, to prevent companies from monopolising software designs and concepts in the region.
“The patent ban in New Zealand is a great step towards the legal system and government in general supporting the software industry, and is a sign of recognition for how software innovation actually occurs,” said Mario Wynands, manager at leading NZ game developer PikPok.
Wynands also praised the legislation reforming how software patents are obtained and exercised in the country, for allowing NZ developers greater freedom over the ideas they want to include in their games.
