John Terry
BE (Elec), LLB
Lawyer
Patent Attorney (Trans-Tasman)
Consultant, Terry IP Patent Attorneys Limited
Consultant, Terry IP Law Limited
Specialist Areas
Patents, designs, copyright, confidential information and commercialisation
Technologies
Communications, electronics, mechanical and software
Expertise
- IP strategy development and implementation
- Commercialisation of IP
- IP management and education
- Due diligence
- Drafting and prosecuting patents and designs
- Contentious IP proceedings
- Training, coaching and capability development
Experience
Over the last 30 years, John has worked for major New Zealand and UK patent attorney firms, and has been internationally recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading attorneys. John was recognised as an IP Star by Managing Intellectual Property, as a Best Lawyer for intellectual property, and as one of the top advisors in the world for patent strategy in the IAM Strategy 300.
John’s specialist field is patents, and he heads the firm’s patents team. He has particular expertise in communications technology, electronics, mechanical and software.
John advises a wide range of major international corporations as to protection and enforcement of their IP in New Zealand including in contentious proceedings. John has, for a number of years now, drafted and secured patents internationally for various US based multinationals while based in Wellington.
As well as providing general patent attorney services, John has provided consultancy services to a wide range of New Zealand high net worth individuals and venture capitalists and foreign entities and investors to develop their IP strategies and implement them. This work has involved John advising on the conduct of IP audits and due diligence, and undertaking general peer review work. John is a provider of IP strategy development services under the Callaghan Innovation IP programme.
John is commercially focused and has been successful in assisting companies to commercialise their technology. Clients value John’s pragmatic commercial approach.
Awards
- Managing IP, IP Stars — Patent Star (2022)
- IAM Media, Strategy 300 — Recommended Individual (2022)
- IAM Media, Patent 1000 — Recommended Individual (2022)
- Who’s Who Legal — Recommended for Patents (2022)
Recent Insights
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Driving Research & Development in a Downturn
In past recessions, businesses that invested in R&D thrived. During any downturn from COVID-19, businesses should resist cutting back on R&D.
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Ellis Terry Overturns Restrictive Amendment Practice
Ellis Terry helps to clarify the meaning of support in New Zealand law. This should allow a much broader level of amendments to be made.
Representative Cases
- Compudigm International Ltd and Bally Technologies Inc v Cardno [2013] NZIPOPAT 31
- Hasan v Ministry of Health [2012] NZIPOPAT 2
- Seahorse Equipment Limited v Brand Developers Limited [2012] NZIPOPAT 3
- Brand Developers v Ezibuy, Action Sports & Fitness and others CIV-2010-404-007593 [2011] NZHC 50
- New Zealand Open Source Society v Microsoft Corporation, [2011] NZIPOPAT
- Assa Abloy New Zealand Limited v Aluminium Systems NZ Limited HC Wellington CIV 2010-485-2 [2010] NZHC 1014 (13 April 2010)
- The Sporting Exchange Limited v New Zealand Racing Board [2010] NZIPOPAT 29
- Commissioner of Inland Revenue v Compudigm International Ltd (in rec and in liq) [2010] NZHC 1832; (2010) 24 NZTC 24,579; [2011] NZCCLR 6