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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Annexure General
This document outlines the correct classification of some goods and services that are more difficult to classify. This Annexure does not constrain the judgment and discretion of the Commissioner of Trade Marks, and each application will be considered on its own merits.
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Division
Guidelines on the process of the division of a trade mark application as set out in the Trade Marks Act 2002. These guidelines do not constrain the judgement and discretion of the Commissioner of Trade Marks, and each application will be considered on its own merits.
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Patents
Practice notices
List of practice notices published by IPONZ under the Patents Act 2013.
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Plant Variety Rights
Technical guidance
Technical guidance (Plant Variety Rights Act 2022)
The technical guidance published to date under the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 is listed below. Please note that some technical guidance published under the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987 may also remain relevant…
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Patents
The Patent Examination Manual
Section 39: Contents of complete specification
(1) Every complete specification must— (a) disclose the invention in a manner that is clear enough and complete enough for the invention to be performed by a person skilled in the art; and (b) disclose the best method of performing the invention that is…
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Patents
Patents Act 1953
Patent proceedings
Opposition proceedings When a patent application is accepted by us, the applicant receives a notice of acceptance and the details of the patent application are published on our website and in the electronic Journal. The date of issue of the Journal becomes the publication date of the…
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Designs
Practice guidelines
Classification and reclassification for designs - guidelines superseded 8 February 2012
New Zealand Registered Designs and design applications are presently classified in accordance with the article or articles to which the design is applied using version 6 of the International Locarno Design Classification System, augmented by some subdivisions of some subclasses, designated alphabetically A, B etc. …
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Trade marks
Trade Mark Hearings
The role of the IPONZ Hearings Office
The IPONZ Hearings Office is a specialist tribunal that is responsible for administering proceedings under the Trade Marks Act 2002 in a fair, efficient and cost effective manner. Proceedings include: an opposition to a trade mark application, an application to revoke a trade…
News and updates
Warning - Misleading invoices
Be aware of unsolicited or fraudulent IP protection, promotion or advertising services being offered to IP holders.
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Patents
Hearings
Security for costs
A party to a patent proceeding who believes the other side is likely to default on any award of costs may request that the Commissioner make an order for security for costs. The circumstances in which the Commissioner can make an order vary depending on…
