About us
IPONZ grants and registers intellectual property rights in New Zealand.
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Copyright
Public use of copyright works
There are specific requirements around the public use of music and film. In these cases, the copyright owners are still entitled to be asked for permission on the use of their work.
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Patents
Search
Searching existing patents before making an application is a good idea. It can save you time and money, and can also provide inspiration or historical information.
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Flags, armorial bearings, state emblems etc
Guidelines on whether relative grounds exist for refusing registration of a trade mark. In particular, this document concerns the relative grounds for refusal stipulated in sections 27-30 of the Trade Marks Act 2002. These Guidelines do not constrain the judgment and discretion of the Commissioner of…
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Patents
Patents Act 1953
Examination of patent applications
Contrary to morality | Raising objections under section 17(1) The practice note of 2008 entitled Contrary to morality | Raising objections under section 17(1) has caused some confusion with respect to the nature of what would and would not be objectionable under section 17(1) of the…
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Designs
Practice guidelines
Historical practice guidelines
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Trade marks
Trade Mark Hearings
Security for costs
Section 167 A party to a trade mark proceeding who believes the other side may default on any award of costs may request that the Commissioner make an order for security for costs. Under section 167(1) of the Trade Marks 2002 the Commissioner may…
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Technical focus group
The purpose of the Trade Marks Technical Focus Group (TFG) is to provide a forum for communication between IP specialists, frequent filers, and client representatives and IPONZ in relation to the provision of intellectual property services in New Zealand. The Group meet to: -…
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Patents
The Patent Examination Manual
Amendment of description, claims and drawings of Treaty applications
Introduction 1. This guideline outlines IPONZ consideration of amendments of the description, claims and drawings made to Treaty applications prior to entry into national phase. 2. The following amendments to Treaty applications may be made during the international phase: the correction of…
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Trade marks
Trade Mark Hearings
Shortlist for hearings that can be held at short notice
You can have your proceeding heard as soon as possible by asking for this to be placed on a shortlist for hearings to be heard at short notice.
