Consultation on changes to the Trade Marks Regulations 2003

Feedback is being sought on a suite of proposed changes to the Trade Marks Regulations 2003 (the Regulations).

Amendments to the Regulations are proposed to:

• Introduce a revised fee schedule that more accurately reflects the costs of delivery of trade mark services by the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ);
• Implement the Government’s decisions to accede to three international trade mark treaties – the Madrid Protocol, the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trade Marks, and the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks; and
• Make certain other changes necessary to improve IPONZ’s administrative efficiency and the general operation of the Regulations.

The discussion document outlines the options that have been considered in formulating the proposals for amendments, and asks for input on the options and the impacts of the proposed amendments.

Submissions are due by 5.00pm, 8 June 2012.

Read the discussion paper on the MED Website