A guide to registering as a patent attorney in New Zealand

Eligibility to register

You must meet the following criteria to be eligible to register as a patent attorney in New Zealand:

• Be a New Zealand citizen, Commonwealth citizen (British subject) or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland
• Be aged 21 (twenty one) years of age or over
• Have passed the New Zealand Patent Attorney Examinations
• Be of good character
• Been employed for a period(s) of at least three years by a Patent Attorney in New Zealand, The Patent Office, or in a form of employment that offers substantially similar practical experience

Applications for registration

When forwarding your application please ensure you include:

• Your full name and address
• Evidence of your age - copy of birth certificate, passport or driver’s license
• A testimonial regarding your good character
• A declaration regarding your practical experience/relevant employment, witnessed by the person who employed you during that period(s). For more information on the requirements for a statutory declaration please see the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957
• Confirmation that you have passed the NZ Patent Attorney Examinations

Most applicants provide a statutory declaration to affirm their citizenship, age, relevant qualifications and practical experience- this is acceptable.

Please send your application, supporting documentation and payment to mail@iponz.govt.nz.

Once your application has been approved your registration will be processed. You will receive a certificate of registration and written confirmation that your details have been entered on the register.

Annual Practice Fees

Refer to Patent Regulation 161.

Renewal Fees are $65.00 (GST exclusive) per year, payable on the 1^st day of January each year (regardless of the date of registration). The Office currently sends out a reminder notice late November each year.

Excerpt from Patent Regulations (1954)

Regulation 154. Qualification for Registration—

1. Any person shall be entitled to be registered as a patent attorney who,--

1. Is a British subject or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland;
2. Is not less than twenty-one years of age;
3. Is of good character;
4. Has passed the Patent Attorneys Examination as hereinafter prescribed; and
5. Not being a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand or a patent agent or patent attorney registered in the United Kingdom or in the Commonwealth of Australia, has been employed for a period or periods totalling not less than three years--
1. By a patent attorney in New Zealand; or
2. In the Patent Office; or
3. In some other employment which, in any particular case in the opinion of the Commissioner and the Council of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys Incorporated, affords substantially similar practical experience to that given by either of the last two mentioned forms of employment: Provided that if the Commissioner and the Council are unable to agree, the Minister shall decide as to the adequacy of the employment.
2. On being satisfied that an applicant for registration possesses the required qualifications and on payment of the prescribed registration fee, the Commissioner shall enter the name of the applicant in the register of patent attorneys with other appropriate entries, and shall issue to the applicant a certificate of his registration as a patent attorney.

 

See our Patent Attorney FAQs for more information