Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) is the government agency responsible for the granting and registration of intellectual property rights. Specifically patent, trade mark, design and plant variety rights. Innovation and creativity are important elements in gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace and for many business ventures intellectual property is one of their most important assets. Through the provision of our services, IPONZ aims to ensure people realise the full economic potential of their intellectual property.

We have a long history of assisting innovative New Zealanders to benefit from their creativity; the New Zealand Patent Office was established in 1870.

Today, IPONZ is responsible for the examination, grant and registration of intellectual property rights under the Patents Act 2013, the Trade Marks Act 2002, the Designs Act 1953 and the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987. These Acts place statutory obligations on IPONZ and the Commissioner of Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Plant Variety Rights in relation to the examination and registration or grant of intellectual property rights. IPONZ also maintains registers of these rights and interests.

In addition to administering the relevant legislation and registers, IPONZ performs a number of operational functions including:

Processing and examination patent, trade mark, design and plant variety right applications;
Implementing international agreements;
Providing assistance and information to clients;
Conducting hearings on oppositions to intellectual property (IP) registrations and eligibility matters;
Maintaining a register of patent attorneys;
Contributing to policy development on IP rights;
Acting as a receiving office for the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).