Get IP
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Representations for designs - guidelines superseded 19 March 2012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.
Get IP
Māori IP
Concepts to understand
Having an understanding of Māori culture will help you navigate New Zealand’s intellectual property laws and processes, and could save you time and money.
Get IP
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…
Get IP
Trade marks
Trade Mark Hearings
International trade mark proceedings
New Zealand is a party to the Madrid Protocol governing the registration of International Trade Marks.
Get IP
Copyright
Crown copyright
Crown copyright protects work created or owned by the New Zealand government, including government forms, codes of practice, official press releases and public records.
Get IP
Māori IP
Māori imagery
Māori imagery has certain distinct features.
Copyright
Crown copyright protects work created or owned by the New Zealand government, including government forms, codes of practice, official press releases and public records.
Get IP
Trade marks
International
Maintain an international trade mark
Maintenance of an international registration designating New Zealand (NZD), such as changes of name and ownership, and renewals and cancellations, is primarily done directly with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
News and updates
Update to guidance on replacements of national trade marks
We have updated our guidance on replacements of national trade marks with international registrations.
