News and updates
Update to trade mark practice guidelines
IPONZ has updated its guidelines about amendments to trade mark applications.
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Patents
A patent gives you a legal right to stop others from making, using, or selling something you have invented for up to 20 years. Your rights only exist in the country or region where your patent is granted.
News and updates
Decisions of the Commissioner – August 2025
Decisions of the Commissioner issued in August 2025 are now available.
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Absolute grounds - General
This document provides guidelines on whether absolute grounds exist for refusing registration of a trade mark. In particular, these guidelines concern the absolute grounds for refusal stipulated in section 17 of the Trade Marks Act 2002. These Guidelines do not constrain the judgement and discretion of…
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Trade marks
Enforcing
Once you own a trade mark, you are responsible for monitoring the way it is used and protecting it against infringement.
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Annexure to Computer Services
Outlines the correct classification of computer, telecommunication and online goods and services that are more difficult to classify. This Annexure does not constrain the judgment and discretion of the Commissioner of Trade Marks, and each application will be considered on its own merits.
The Journal
Country code information
The country of convention priority is identified by a two-letter code conforming to the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) Standard ST.3 "Recommended Standard on Two-Letter Codes for the Representation of States, Other Entities and Intergovernmental Organizations". The code for convention countries is as follows: …
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Geographical indications
Hearings
The IPONZ Hearings Office is a specialist tribunal that is responsible for administering proceedings under the Geographical Indications Registration Act 2006 in a fair, efficient and cost-effective manner.
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Māori IP
Māori imagery
Māori imagery has certain distinct features.
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Plant Variety Rights
PVR Journal
The NZ PVR Journal contains information that the Commissioner is required, by the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987, to publish.
