Intellectual property stories

BriefCatch acquires WordRake’s core tech and 12 US patents, aiming to fuse document-level and in-line legal editing in one platform.

Proofpoint snaps up AI security specialist Acuvity to police ‘agentic workspaces’ as enterprises rush to deploy copilots and agents.

Google flags surging attempts to steal AI models as state-backed hackers weaponise Gemini for phishing, intel gathering and malware support.

Finternet Labs and Avalanche launch India agriculture tokenisation pilot, eyeing a wider TradeFi market worth up to $10 billion.

New Zealand AI startup Contented raises AUD $4.1m seed round to speed UK and US expansion and triple headcount in coming months.

Christchurch AI startup Contented raises NZD $4.1m seed round to grow its meeting-minutes platform and push into Australia, UK and US.

Study finds over 28,000 fake domains mimicking top global sites, exposing users to rising phishing, malware and industrial-scale squatting.

SentinelOne has launched an end-to-end AI security lifecycle platform, adding DSPM, CSPM and runtime protections for enterprise AI deployments.

FICO has been named a Leader in Gartner’s 2026 Magic Quadrant for Decision Intelligence Platforms, recognising its execution and vision.

Record digital squatting surge sees 6,200 disputes in 2025, as lookalike domains drive costly phishing, malware and payment fraud.

Utopai East takes full control of Seoul’s Alquimista Media, securing a 15-title slate and launching its AI-driven push into Korea.

Canada distils record public input into priorities for a 2026 AI strategy, balancing innovation, security, sovereignty and public trust.

AI, quantum threats and tougher regulation will reshape cyber strategies by 2026, forcing new governance, identity models and SOC workflows.

Industry voices are divided on whether AI will diminish consulting roles or augment them by shifting the nature of the work.

Nvidia and Dassault team up on “physical AI” virtual twins to power science-based industrial models across biology, engineering and factories.

DLA Piper has promoted Edward Eisdell-Moore to partner in its Auckland technology and data practice, effective 1 January 2026.

Swiss startup Umanitek has unveiled Guardian Agent, a subscription tool to spot deepfakes, fake profiles and AI-driven impersonation online.

Aon names London market veteran Alistair Clarke Head of Specialty in Australia, to steer cyber, M&A and complex risk lines from Sydney.

Bedrock Data adds native Confluence support to map how sensitive collaboration content flows into AI systems and expose hidden access risks.

Enterprises ringfence AI spend as core infrastructure, racing from pilots to orchestrated, governed systems despite economic headwinds.