Document Actions
About IPONZ
Who are we?
The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand is the government agency responsible for the granting and registration of intellectual property rights. Specifically patent, trade mark, design and plant variety rights. Innovation and creativity are important elements in gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace and for many business ventures intellectual property is one of their most important assets. Through the provision of our services, the Office aims to ensure people realise the full economic potential of their intellectual property.
What do we do?
We have a long history of assisting innovative New Zealanders to benefit from their creativity; the New Zealand Patent Office was established in 1870.
Today, the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand administers the Patents Act 1953, the Trade Marks Act 2002, the Designs Act 1953 and the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987. These Acts place statutory obligations on the Office and the Commissioner of Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Plant Variety Rights in relation to the examination and registration or grant of intellectual property rights. The Office also maintains registers of these rights and interests
In addition to administering the relevant legislation and registers, the Office performs a number of operational functions including:
- Processing and examination patent, trade mark, design and plant variety right applications;
- Implementing international agreements;
- Providing assistance and information to clients;
- Conducting hearings on oppositions to intellectual property (IP) registrations and eligibility matters;
- Maintaining a register of patent attorneys;
- Contributing to policy development on IP rights;
- Acting as a receiving office for the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Structure
IPONZ is a business unit of the Ministry of Economic Development (MED).
The Commissioner of Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Plant Variety Rights is responsible for ensuring that all the duties, and functions of the Commissioner noted in the Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Plant Variety Rights legislation, are fulfilled.
The Office consists of four business units reporting to the Group Manager.
IPONZ organisational chart
