IPONZ’s new online patent case management facility

10 December 2012

IPONZ is delighted to introduce our new online case management facility for patents today.

The new facility is an intuitive, easy-to-use web interface where you can search, apply and manage all of your patent cases online.

The new facility has been implemented in line with Government’s stated goals for modern public services to reduce compliance costs and aim to build a stronger and more competitive New Zealand economy.

What do you need to know?

1. You need to become a registered user to access most of IPONZ’s online case management facility.

To logon to the new facility click on the “Do it now” tab from the IPONZ homepage or click on the igovt logon button.

2. You will have your own personal IPONZ inbox.

Once you have logged into our new system you will be taken straight to your inbox. This will give you fast access to all of your cases and will be the central point from which you can manage your IP Applications.

Read more about how to use your inbox.

3. You will have full control of your account details online.

This means you can update and maintain your account details yourself. Simply go to My Account from the left hand menu in your inbox and maintain your details under My profile. 
Read more about our services.

Here is a summary of changes that you need to know:

1. There are now 3 types of patent applications:

• Application with provisional specification;
• Application with complete specification; and
• PCT national phase entry application.

2. Online filing facility for patent applications

Under regulation 9, the Commissioner directs that the forms in Schedule 2 of the Regulations are modified to the extent that IPONZ's new case management system be used in their place.

For example, from 10 December 2012:

• a request for sealing and a request for postponement of acceptance are often filed together with a patent application. For the convenience of users, the online filing forms incorporate text or check boxes that may be completed or checked in order to make such declarations or requests, and in so far as these boxes are completed or checked at the time of online filing, the associated declaration or request is considered to have been made.
• Form 13 is no longer required when applying for an extension of time to place an application in order for acceptance. The extendable three months will be included in the Task due date for responding to examination report and there will be a message in the Task stating: “By submitting this response an extension of time is required to put the application in order. This will be granted as of right automatically”.

3. Submitting amended patent specifications

Applicants wishing to amend their patent specification will be required to provide:

• a full replacement specification, including any drawings and sequence listings that form part of the specification; and
• A document that clearly shows the changes that have been made to the specification and where the amendments are voluntary, payment of the official fee.

4. New patent case statuses:

• The statuses assigned to patent applications, in particular applications with provisional specifications, have changed. Learn more about the new patent status descriptions.

5. New statuses for patent specifications:

• Patent specifications will now have the following statuses: proposed, rejected, accepted, granted, overwritten and superseded.

6. Removal of the fee for Certificates of the Commissioner: 

You are no longer required to pay a fee for Certificates of the Commissioner or Certified Copies. One exception is for preparation and transmission of priority documents to the International Bureau.

What next?

Subscribe to our email update service to keep up to date with the world of Intellectual Property and our online system.