Stay up to date with the latest intellectual property developments from New Zealand and around the world.
Options Paper Released for Plant Variety Rights Legislation
Following on from last year’s Plant Variety Rights Issues Paper the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has now released an Options Paper, for which submissions will close on Monday, 9 September 2019...
Amazon Takes Pro-Active Steps to Eliminate Counterfeits from its Marketplace
Amazon has adopted two programs in an effort to discourage the sale of pirated or counterfeit goods on its website, namely the “Project Zero” and “Neutral Patent Evaluation” programs...
Following feedback from submissions sought during the middle of 2018 IPONZ has now submitted and received Cabinet approval for its Fees Review, which will involve amendments to patent and trade mark fees and hence regulations.
Existing Registration Not Necessarily a Bar for a Different Applicant’s Identical Application
In 2019 NZCA 61 International Consolidated Business Pty Ltd v SC Johnson & Son Inc the Court of Appeal confirmed that when a prior registration is in force a different applicant can make a valid application for the identical mark and goods, which can proceed to registration once the prior registration is no longer in force...