New President for NZIPA

Ian Finch has been appointed President of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys (NZIPA).

Mr Finch, who was previously NZIPA vice-president, is a supervising partner of James & Wells Intellectual Property's Auckland patents team and national litigation team.

The NZIPA is an incorporated body representing most patent attorneys registered under the Patents Act 1953 who are resident and practising in New Zealand.

Mr Finch says strong patent law and IP strategy are critical components in New Zealand's drive to become an export-driven and clean tech-based economy.

"Probably the most important issue at the moment is to gain clarity around the Government's programme for joint regulation of the Australian and New Zealand patent professions and its influence on the non progress of the Patents Bill," he says. "The NZIPA is calling for this to happen as a priority in the Government's new term."