2.4 Maori trade marks

All trade mark applications will be assessed by IPONZ to determine whether they contain, or are derived from, a Māori sign including text or imagery.

Where a Māori sign is identified, IPONZ will add the trade mark type descriptor “Maori”. If the sign contains Māori imagery, appropriate New Zealand specific descriptors will be assigned.⁹

All applications identified as being Māori signs will initially be forwarded to the Māori Trade Marks Advisory Committee and then examined taking into account any additional issues that may arise under the Act.

For more information on the Māori Trade Marks Advisory Committee and the examination of Māori trade marks, see the Practice Guidelines to the Māori Trade Marks Advisory Committee and Māori Trade Marks.

Footnotes

⁸Practice Guideline Amendment 2003/2, Information For Clients, Issue 28: 30 September 2003.

⁹For more information on the New Zealand descriptors, see the Guidelines to the Maori Advisory Committee and Maori Trade Marks.