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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Māori advisory committee and Māori trade marks
This document provides guidelines on sections 177-180 of 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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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
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
Update to trade mark practice guidelines
IPONZ has updated its guidelines on International Non-Proprietary Names (INNs), INN stems and offensive trade marks.
News and updates
The Journal - March 2026
The March 2026 edition of the Journal is now available.
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Trade marks
Apply
Registering a trade mark is a good way to protect your brand and reputation. There are some things you need to consider before submitting a trade mark application.
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Patents
The Patent Examination Manual
Regulation 147: Extension of time in exceptional circumstances
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.
News and updates
IP and sports: From gym floor to global stage
How early IP protection helped Les Mills grow from a New Zealand gym-floor idea into a trusted global fitness brand.
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Plant Variety Rights
PVR Journal
The NZ PVR Journal contains information that the Commissioner is required, by the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987, to publish.
News and updates
Decisions of the Commissioner – March 2026
Decisions of the Commissioner issued in March 2026 are now available.
