What does this mean for software companies in New Zealand? If they sell software in the US (and who doesn't, with the internet and all), I assume they're still on the hook for US patent law?
I can't speak for my company, but I personally feel that the whole software patent system is ridiculous, and I'm pleased that the local situation isn't going to go down that road.
At least, not until we get railroaded by the 'Trans Pacific Partnership'(TPP) Treaty, or its newer cousins, whenever they show up.
In the mean time, I would assume that we would be unable to sell something that violated an US patent, in the US, but wouldn't be liable for sales of that might violate a US patent in NZ, unless there is some other bi-lateral (or unilateral) treaty covering the situation that I am not aware of.
I guess there's one way to find out. But it seems like the better plan is to fight to eliminate software patents everywhere instead of pretending the internet is going to respect every nation's borders or vice versa.