(1) A patent for an invention may only be granted to a person who—
(a) is the inventor; or
(b) derives title to the invention from the inventor; or
(c) is the personal representative of a deceased person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).
(2) A patent may be granted to a person whether or not the person is a New Zealand citizen.
Compare: Patents Act 1990 s 15 (Aust)