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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Collective marks
Guidelines on collective trade marks under the Trade Marks Act 2002. These Guidelines do 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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The Journal - August 2025
The August 2025 edition of the Journal is now available.
News and updates
The Journal - September 2025
The September 2025 edition of the Journal is now available.
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Timeframes
Processing times for applications and correspondence.
News and updates
Update to trade mark practice guidelines
IPONZ has updated its guidelines about amendments to trade mark applications.
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Patents
A patent gives you a legal right to stop others from making, using, or selling something you have invented for up to 20 years. Your rights only exist in the country or region where your patent is granted.
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Decisions of the Commissioner – August 2025
Decisions of the Commissioner issued in August 2025 are now available.
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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
Enforcing
Once you own a trade mark, you are responsible for monitoring the way it is used and protecting it against infringement.
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Annexure to Computer Services
Outlines the correct classification of computer, telecommunication and online 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.
