The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a free trade agreement that will liberalise trade and investment between twelve countries, including New Zealand.
While most provisions of the TPP intellectual property chapter are consistent with New Zealand’s existing intellectual property regime, some legislative change is required before the agreement can be ratified.
The TPP provides flexibility in how some of these obligations can be met. On Wednesday, 9 March 2016, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) released a consultation document seeking feedback on the proposed implementation approach, in relation to those areas with flexibility, for comment before any law changes are introduced to Parliament.
Public submissions are now being invited by MBIE on this consultation document. The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 30 March 2016. For more information on making a submission, please see the TPP Intellectual Property implementation page on the MBIE website.
For more information on the consultation document and the submissions process, please email TPP.IP.Policy@mbie.govt.nz.