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.
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.
In the Select the option which best describes you page, you must choose one of the following options:
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: 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: You may also need to designate your details as your ‘Default Client’ before you can perform some transactions. To do this: For more information about creating accounts for members of your organisation, see how to create and maintain a user. 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 [PDF, 328 KB] as part of this option. To complete your IPONZ account setup: 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:I am a new user with an activation code from my organisation
I am a new user representing myself or an organisation, which is new to IPONZ
I am a new user representing myself or an organisation which has previously filed an application with IPONZ
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.