News and updates
MBIE seeks public submissions on TPP Intellectual Property implementation
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…
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Absolute grounds - General
This document provides guidelines on whether absolute grounds exist for refusing registration of a trade mark. In particular, these guidelines concern the absolute grounds for refusal stipulated in section 17 of the Trade Marks Act 2002. These Guidelines do not constrain the judgement and discretion of…
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Merger
Guidelines on the process of the merger of trade mark applications and trade mark registrations 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…
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Patents
Practice notices
Current
These notices provide information relating to new or changes to patent practice including filing requirements and our examination activities.
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Plant Variety Rights
Technical guidance
Arrangements for growing trials for the testing of distinctness, uniformity and stability
The Plant Variety Rights Act 1987 Section 10 (d) requires that a variety is eligible for a grant of Rights if that variety is sufficiently distinct, uniform and stable (DUS). In all instances the determination of DUS is carried out in a growing trial…
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Patents
The Patent Examination Manual
Section 43: Deposit requirements for micro-organisms
(1) The deposit requirements are satisfied in relation to a micro-organism to which a specification relates if, and only if,— (a) the micro-organism was, on or before the filing date of the specification, deposited with a prescribed depositary institution in accordance with the rules relating…
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Patents
Patents Act 1953
Filing of PCT International applications by email
IPONZ acting as the International Receiving Office will receive International Applications via e-mail ( mail@iponz.govt.nz ) with immediate effect. Providing that the International Application meets the requirements of Article 11(1) PCT and is filed prior to 11.59pm on a day that the Office is…
News and updates
IPONZ to implement WIPO Digital Access Service
Starting 30 May 2016, IPONZ users will be able to deposit and retrieve priority documents relating to patent applications via WIPO's Digital Access Service (DAS). The WIPO Digital Access Service (DAS) is an electronic system allowing priority documents and similar documents to be…
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Trade marks
Trade Mark Hearings
How to file a proceeding
Log into our case management facility using your user ID. Select the Proceeding menu on the left hand side of the screen and select the relevant proceeding typelink. Enter the relevant information and documents and click Submit . You…
News and updates
IPONZ closed for Queen's birthday - 6 June 2016
Our website will remain available on this date. Please note the following important considerations: If the deadline for filing an application or document falls on 4, 5 or 6 June 2016, then the application or document will be filed on time if filed…
