Improvements to the IPONZ online case management facility

Improvements to the IPONZ online case management facility

Improvements to our IPONZ online case management facility as of 13 February 2020.

We’ve made a number of improvements to our website and online case management facility as of 13 February 2020.

Changes to IPONZ Patent and Trade Mark fees

Following the results of our recent fee review and consultations, changes to IPONZ Patent and Trade Mark fees [PDF, 459 KB] have commenced as of 13 February 2020. The following fee pages on our website have been updated to reflect these:

A summary of the new fees may be found on the Patent and Trade Marks fee changes [PDF, 459 KB] document on the IPONZ website.

Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2019 updates

Further updates relating to the Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Act 2019 have been applied to the IPONZ online case management facility:

  1. Trade mark registrations that are not renewed by their renewal due date will now be designated with a status of “Registered (past expiry date)”.
  2. “Registered (past expiry date)” trade marks may be restored by paying their renewal fee within 6 months of their original renewal due date. Otherwise the trade mark registration will become expired.
  3. Applicants of Plant Variety Rights may now provide an address for service in either New Zealand or Australia.

Trade Mark Check graduates from beta

The Trade Mark Check tool allows people new to trade marks and intellectual property to see if a trade mark they’re considering is already on the New Zealand Trade Marks Register. It also allows new users to learn about goods and services classes and the next steps for registration.

Trade Mark Check has been well received by our users, with over 104,000 searches within the first six months of its release. We thank all users who have provided feedback to date.

This release includes improvements such as accessibility changes, a clearer navigation back to search results, and a correction for filtering results by goods and services classes.

We still welcome feedback about Trade Mark Check and will continue to make improvements. You can provide feedback on our dedicated Trade Mark Check feedback page.

The IPONZ trade mark case search also remains available for advanced users, allowing for targeted searches of trade mark cases and specialised use.

Changes to saved applications

When accessing an IP application form, you will now be asked if you wish to create a new application, or restore an existing application draft.

Screen shot showing Changes to saved applications

  • Clicking on the “Start new application” button will close the selection window and display the application form.
  • Selecting an application draft and clicking on the “Load saved application” button will open that draft for further edits.

Once an application draft is completed and submitted, it will no longer be available among your saved application drafts. Saved drafts will automatically be deleted if a period of 90 days has passed since their original creation.

Changes to Client ID creation

When using the My Account > Maintain Client module to create new Client IDs, your login account will no longer be automatically linked to those IDs. Instead, this option will be available via a “Request to be linked to this client” button.

Screen shot showing Changes to Client ID Creation

The “Request to be linked to this client” button should only be selected if the new Client ID reflects you or your organisation. If you are an agent creating a Client ID on behalf of a different IP owner, this button should not be selected.

Changes to GPPH expedited examination requests

Requests for expedited Patent examination under the Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH) will now prompt you to select the Office of Earlier Examination and whether this relates to a PCT or National examination. This is in addition to uploading documents in support of your request.

Screen shot Changes to GPPH expedited examination requests

 If you have any questions, please contact us via info@iponz.govt.nz.

Published on February 13, 2020