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Patent attorney information
What is a patent attorney?
A patent attorney is a person that has specialised qualifications to act as a professional intermediary between clients (both local and overseas) and IPONZ. They deal with intellectual property, specifically, patents, trade marks, and designs. In practice, patent attorneys also deal with other aspects of intellectual property law, such as copyright, trade secrets and plant variety rights.
The New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys (Incorporated), ("NZIPA" or "The Institute"), established in 1912, is an incorporated body representing most Patent Attorneys registered under the New Zealand Patents Act, and who are resident and practising in New Zealand. Read more.
The patent attorney register
IPONZ is responsible for maintaining the New Zealand register of patent attorneys. To become a registered patent attorney you need to pass a series of exams that are run each year by IPONZ and then register. An annual practice fee is payable on 1st January each year. For more information about the register and becoming a patent attorney, see:
The New Zealand Patent Attorney Register
The New Zealand Patent Attorney Register as prescribed in sections 100 to 104 of the Patents Act 1953.
A guide to registering as a patent attorney in New Zealand
The following is a summary of the requirements for registration as a patent attorney as specified in Patent Regulations 1954, Regulation 154.
Patent attorney exams
Entry requirements for the Patent Attorney Exams, the current year’s syllabus and exam timetable, previous years’ syllabuses, papers and examiner comments.
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement for the patent attorney profession
The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand came into operation on 1 May 1998.
