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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Classification and specification
Guidelines on sections 31 and 32 of the Trade Marks Act 2002, which concern the classification of goods and services and the breadth of a specification. These Guidelines do not constrain the judgment and discretion of the Commissioner of Trade Marks, and each application will be…
News and updates
The Journal - December 2025
The December 2025 edition of the Journal is now available.
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Trade marks
Trade Mark Hearings
Pre-hearing directions
If you are directly involved in a hearing at our office, there are guidelines you can follow to ensure that your hearing takes place with minimal issues.
News and updates
Update to trade mark practice guidelines
IPONZ has updated its guidelines about the classification of goods and services.
News and updates
The Plant Variety Rights Journal - January 2026
The latest quarterly edition of the Journal is now available. Choose from the links below to view the sections of the Journal: General information [PDF, 196 KB] Plant variety right applications and registrations
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Trade marks
Practice guidelines
Relative grounds - Identical or similar trade marks
This document provides guidelines on whether relative grounds exist for refusing registration of a trade mark. In particular, this page concerns the relative grounds for refusal in section 25 of the Trade Marks Act 2002. These Guidelines do not constrain the judgement and discretion of the…
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Geographical indications
Detailed information about our practices relating to aspects of the filing, examination, and registration of geographical indications (GIs).
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Geographical indications
Using the geographical indications register
The GI register lists all geographical indications registered in New Zealand, as well as applications and proposed registrations.
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Geographical indications
European Union Geographical Indications and changes to legislation
Restrictions apply to the use of certain geographical indications terms on products as a result of the New Zealand – European Union Free Trade Agreement entering into force.
Making a complaint against a registered trans-Tasman patent attorney
You may file a complaint against a registered trans-Tasman attorney if you believe that they have fallen short of defined standards for professional behaviour.
