TPP: IT Professionals re-raise Software Patent concerns

Trans Pacific Partnership: IT Professionals re-raise concerns about Software Patents

PRESS RELEASE – Institute of IT Professionals NZ Inc
12 August 2015, For Immediate Release

Ian Taylor, President of New Zealand’s largest IT representative body The Institute of IT Professionals NZ and CEO of Dunedin tech firm Animation Research Ltd, has written to Trade Minister Tim Groser re-raising concerns about the possible impact of TPP on the technology industry.

In the letter, Taylor made the point that the IT industry was now not just an industry of itself, but underpinned the innovations occurring across the economy. IT has experienced huge growth in recent years which was set to continue, and matters impacting technology had a flow-on impact to all industries; including those at the heart of today’s economy such as wool, meat and dairy.

Recent commentary has suggested that New Zealand’s position removing the patentability of software, the result of Patents Act reforms in 2013, might be under threat due to TPP. Software Patents are seen by many within the industry as a major threat to innovation.

“We’re an export-driven sector, so we love free trade”, Taylor said. “However this can’t come at the cost of the future of the technology industry, and that’s what it will be if New Zealand’s current law banning software patents is traded away in the TPP”.

While not unanimous, there is strong consensus from the industry against software patents. “In a 2013 poll of over 1000 New Zealand IT Professionals across the sector, around 94% of those with a view wanted to see software patents gone,” Taylor said. “Following significant work by IITP and others, the Government agreed and modified the Patents Act to protect New Zealand technology firms from software patents in their home market”.

“The patent system doesn’t work for software. Research shows it's near impossible for software to be developed without breaching some of the hundreds of thousands of software patents awarded around the world, often for ‘obvious’ work,” Taylor said. “Thus many software companies, creating outstanding and innovative software, live with a constant risk that their entire business could be threatened due to litigious action by a patent holder. The changes in 2013 meant that at least the risk in their home market was reduced.”

Mr Taylor’s own firm created the iconic Virtual Eye software, tracking America’s Cup boats and presenting them on screen in real time – a breakthrough at the time. However even they were targeted by patent trolls using a patent that had been awarded for tracking tugs in a harbour. “Most other successful tech companies have similar stories”, Mr Taylor said. “Even US President Obama has spoken out about the scourge of software patent trolls on our industry”.

IITP had chosen to make this public now due to a significant number of members contacting the Institute in recent days raising concerns. “IITP and other tech sector representatives are meeting with TPP negotiators shortly to discuss this and other matters impacting the tech sector”, Mr Taylor said. “We’re also seeking assurance from Minister Groser that New Zealand’s stance on software patents isn’t under threat”.

In the letter Mr Taylor also addressed recent comments attributed to Mr Groser implying that those opposed to TPP had something other than genuine intentions. “We’ve raised these issues in the past because they’re a major concern for our industry”, Taylor said. “We’re a fast-growing and fast-changing industry and what might seem like small legislative changes now could have major implications later. If we wait until the ink is dry on TPP, it’ll be too late.”

“We also have concerns over the secrecy of the negotiations but they are what they are. Our sector wants to ensure the Minister and his team are fully aware of our concerns. Any negative impact on this sector will have wide ranging consequences across the board.”

A copy of the letter sent to Mr Groser this week is available here: http://nzco.mp/tpp

ENDS

About the Institute of IT Professionals (IITP)

The Institute of IT Professionals is the professional body for those working in the Information Technology industry. With thousands of members nationwide, the Institute is the largest IT representative body in New Zealand.

The Institute works closely with Industry, Government and Academia however is a fully independent non-profit body; founded, operated and governed by IT Professionals. The Institute has been the voice of the IT Profession for over 50 years.

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