Become a registered user

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Become a registered user

Creating an IPONZ login account will give you access to our case management facility so that you can manage your intellectual property. There are no joining or maintenance fees.

To access the IPONZ online case management facility for Patents, Trade Marks, Designs or Plant Variety Rights, please follow the steps below. Note that you don’t need to be an IPONZ registered user or have a RealMe® login to apply to register a Geographical Indication.

1. Create a RealMe® login

You must have a RealMe® account in order to use the IPONZ case management facility. If you are already using your RealMe® account to access other Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment websites (such as the New Zealand Companies Office), you will be able to use this to access the IPONZ system.

Note that if you have more than one RealMe® account, cases that are accessible under that account may not be accessible under another.

To log on:

1.  Select the Login button near the top right corner of the IPONZ website. This will bring you to a RealMe® login page.

Screenshot image of Realme login form.

2.  If you do not have an existing RealMe® account:

  • Click the Create your RealMe login now button. This will bring you to a Create a RealMe login form. 
  • Complete and submit the Create a RealMe login form. Once successful, this will display a Your RealMe login is ready page. Click the Continue button to proceed with your IPONZ account setup.

3.  If you do have an existing RealMe® account:

  • Enter your RealMe® username and password under the Username and Password fields. This will open your IPONZ account setup. 
  • You may use the I forgot my username and I forgot my password links to retrieve your username or password if you have forgotten either of these.

2. Set up your IPONZ account

You will need to complete a few more details to set up your IPONZ account. Specifically, you need to tell us who you are and what legal entity you represent.

Screenshot image of the Select the option which best describes you page.

In the Select the option which best describes you page, you must choose one of the following options:

I am a new user with an activation code from my organisation

Choose this option if your organisation has an account administrator who is overseeing your access to the IPONZ system. This administrator would have sent you an email with an activation code.

To complete your IPONZ account setup:

  1. Select I am a new user with an activation code from my organisation, then click the Submit button on the lower right corner of the page. This will prompt you to enter your activation code.
  2. Enter your activation code in the Input activation code field, then click the Continue button.
  3. If your activation code is correct, this will bring you to a Create your private profile page. Enter your personal details and click the Submit button on the lower right corner of the page to complete your account setup.

I am a new user representing myself or an organisation, which is new to IPONZ

Choose this option if you or your organisation have not previously filed any applications with IPONZ. This will allow you to create a new account that can establish and maintain intellectual property rights on behalf of yourself or your employer.

Because you’re the one creating the account for yourself or your organisation, you will automatically be considered its administrator.

To complete your IPONZ account setup:

  1. Select I am a new user representing myself or an organisation, which is new to IPONZ, then click the Submit button on the lower right corner of the page. This will bring you to a Create your private profile page.
  2. Enter your personal details and click the Submit button. This will create your private profile and bring you to a Create your public profile page.
  3. Enter the client details. These details will appear in your applications and transactions within the IPONZ online system.
    • Click on the Type drop-down box to select your category – whether you are an individual Person, a New Zealand Registered Business, an Overseas Business, or similar.
      • If you are setting up a New Zealand Registered Business, you must enter its name or NZBN under the Search NZBN Register field. This will search the New Zealand Business Number register for your company and automatically complete the remainder of this form.
    • You may click on the Add New Address button to add a physical, postal or service address. Remember to Save your address before adding a new one.
    • Note that if you own (or intend to own) any intellectual property rights in New Zealand, then you must at least have a New Zealand address for service.
  4. Once you have completed entering your details, click the Submit button on the lower right corner of the page to complete your account setup.

You may also need to designate your details as your ‘Default Client’ before you can perform some transactions. To do this:

  1. In your Inbox, under My Account, select My Profile. This will bring you to a My Profile page.
  2. In the User’s Data tab, under Default Client, click the Search button. This will bring you to a page that contains all clients to which your account is linked.
  3. Select your preferred client from the list by ticking on the circle to the left of that client, then click the Select button. This will return you to your My Profile page with that client selected.
  4. Click the Submit button on the lower right corner of the page to save your settings.

For more information about creating accounts for members of your organisation, see how to create and maintain a user.

I am a new user representing myself or an organisation which has previously filed an application with IPONZ

Choose this option if you or your organisation already has an existing intellectual property rights application or registration. If this is the case, the IPONZ online system may already have a record of you or your organisation - this will link your login account with that record.

Note that if there is an existing administrator who is linked to your organisation’s record with us, this option will replace that administrator with your login account. Please verify if your organisation has an existing administrator / linked account before you proceed.

You will need to submit a completed Client Access Account Authorisation form as part of this option.

To complete your IPONZ account setup:

  1. Select I am a new user representing myself or an organisation which has previously filed an application with IPONZ, then click the Submit button on the lower right corner of the page. This will bring you to a Create your private profile page.
  2. Enter your personal details and click the Submit button. This will create your private profile and bring you to a Request to be linked to existing client search page.
  3. Search for the existing legal entity to which you would like to link your account.
    • If your search produces only one result, this will automatically open the profile page for that client entity.
    • If your search produces multiple results, tick the circle to the left of the correct result, then click the Select button to open the profile page for that client entity.
  4. In the entity’s profile page, under the Client Authority section, click the Request to be linked to this client button.
    • Note that if this section indicates that the client is linked to an existing user, then this entity has an existing administrator. If accepted, your request will effectively replace that existing administrator with your account.
  5. Click the Add Document button to upload a copy of your completed Client Access Account Authorisation form, then click the Continue button to return to your company’s profile.
  6. Click the Submit button on the lower right corner of the page to submit your linking request.

Upon submission, IPONZ will process your linking request within one working day. Once the link is created to your account, you'll be able to access your individual or organisation's intellectual property records.

Once your linking request has been processed, you may need to designate your details as your ‘Default Client’ before you can perform some transactions. To do this:

  1. In your Inbox, under My Account, select My Profile. This will bring you to a My Profile page.
  2. In the User’s Data tab, under Default Client, click the Search button. This will bring you to a page that contains all clients to which your account is linked.
  3. Select your preferred client from the list by ticking on the circle to the left of that client, then click the Select button. This will return you to your My Profile page with that client selected.
  4. Click the Submit button on the lower right corner of the page to save your settings.

Administrators and members

The primary account that is linked to a client entity is known as its administrator. Administrators are able to add secondary users – known as members – under the same client entity.

A client entity may only have one administrator, although it can have multiple members.

There are two levels of accounts:

1. Member level

  • These are individuals who work for the organisation and can perform transactions on its behalf.
  • Member accounts are created by an administrator. This action generates an activation code that the member can use to set up their login.
  • Members can be assigned specific cases belonging to their organisation. They are able to interact with the tasks and discussions for those specific cases only. Members are otherwise able to view – but not interact with – any other cases under their organisation.
  • Any members can assign any of their organisation’s cases to any other member.

2. Administrator level:

  • This is traditionally the first user created for the account. The administrator is able to perform all actions that members can normally perform.
  • The administrator is able to modify their organisation's details, and their email serves as main email address for the organisation.
  • The administrator can create and modify member accounts.
  • The administrator can access and interact with any of their organisation’s cases, tasks or discussions.
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