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We grant and register intellectual property (IP) rights in New Zealand. Our services help you protect your innovations so that you get the full economic benefit of your IP.
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Patents
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Guide to searching of the patent register
This page contains guidance on searching for patent applications and granted patents in the New Zealand Patents Register.
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Geographical indications
Application guidance
In New Zealand, you can apply to register GIs for wine and spirits. This guide outlines the requirements you need to prepare and submit as part of your application.
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Designs
Practice guidelines
Changes to assignment of designs
From 13 February 2012 there will be a change in practice relating to the assignment of designs: the filing of a request to record an assignment of a design will only be possible after the design has been registered. Any request to…
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Designs
Practice guidelines
Representations for designs
Introduction This note reiterates and clarifies practices regarding the filing of representations for designs to be registered by IPONZ under the Designs Act 1953. The representations of a design serve to identify the design, so that a design applied to an article can be…
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Designs
Practice guidelines
Filing design convention documents
The Design Regulations 34(2) and 34(3) require an applicant to lodge certified convention documents and verified translations of the foreign language parts of convention documents at IPONZ at the time an application is made or within three months of the application date. IPONZ is not in…
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Designs
Practice guidelines
Representations for designs - guidelines superseded 19 March 2012
Introduction This note reiterates and clarifies practices regarding the filing of representations for designs to be registered by IPONZ under the Designs Act 1953. The representations of a design serve to identify the design, so that a design applied to an article can be…
News and updates
Decisions of the Commissioner – October 2025
Decisions of the Commissioner issued in October 2025 are now available online.
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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…
