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Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand
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  1. Trade marks register
  2. Patents register
  3. Designs register
  4. Plant variety rights register
  5. Geographical indications register
  6. Online journal

Own your revolutionary electric idea.

UBCO 2x2 utility bike.

No matter what your idea is, IP can make it yours.

Find out how UBCO did it

Own your feel good idea.

Dr Feelgood frozen pops - stack showing a range of flavours.

No matter what your idea is, IP can make it yours.

Find out how Dr Feelgood did it

Dream it. Do it. Own it.

Ideas come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There are a few different ways you can protect them. Not sure what you need? Find out below.

Trade marks

Distinguish your goods or services in the market place by using a trade mark. Your trade mark could include words, logos, shapes, colours, sounds, smells or any combination of these.

  • Protects your logo, name and brand
  • Costs $150 per class, excluding GST
  • Takes a minimum of 6 months to acquire
  • Can last up to 10 years before renewal
Search trade marks Apply for a trade mark
Show trade marks details

Trade secret

Key confidential information that is not publicly known but that has real economic value to a business. Trade secrets include things like confidential processes, customer information, business strategies, and secret recipes.

Learn about protecting trade secrets when hiring staff on business.govt.nz

  • Maintains competitive advantage
  • Generally free
  • Self enforced
  • Valid as long as you don't disclose this information
Show trade secret details

Company name registration

A registered business name stops any other person from registering a company with that name. Reserving your company name is the first step in incorporating a company in New Zealand.

Search and apply for company names on the Companies Register

  • Maintains competitive advantage
  • Usually costs less than $200
  • Instantly available online
  • Valid as long as you are trading or trading as that name
Show company name registration details

Domain name registration

A domain name helps people locate your website. It distinguishes your website from global competitors.

Search and register domain names on the Domain Names Register

  • Helps ensure you have a presence on the web
  • Usually costs less than $100
  • Instantly available online
  • Usually leased on a 1 - 5 years plan
Show domain name registration details

Other registered IP types

IPONZ also grants and registers the following types of IP.

Patents

Designs

Plant variety rights

Geographical indications

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More news

IPONZ continues Taking Care of Business Roadshow 2018 participation

10 August 2018

Decisions of the Commissioner – July 2018

10 August 2018

Events & education

Become an expert in owning your ideas with presentations, and other resources to improve your understanding of IP.

View upcoming events

Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) grants and registers IP rights in New Zealand. This includes trade marks, patents, designs, plant variety rights and geographical indications. We also provide general information about non-registered IP including copyright.

Our services help you protect your innovations so that you get the full economic benefit of your IP.

Learn more about IPONZ

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