Update to trade mark practice guidelines

Update to trade mark practice guidelines

IPONZ has updated its guidelines on International Non-Proprietary Names (INNs), INN stems and offensive trade marks.

We have updated our Absolute grounds - General practice guidelines.

The significant changes are in the following sections:

  • 2.7 – International Non-Proprietary Names (INNs)
  • 2.8 – INN stems
  • 4 – Offensive trade marks.

View the updated trade mark practice guidelines:

4 Absolute grounds - General

Published on March 11, 2026