IPONZ conducts formal and substantive examinations of designs. IPONZ automatically starts the substantive examination within 15 days of receiving the design application, no need for the applicant to submit a specific request separately, the applicant has 12 months (can be extended up to 3 months) to overcome the defect to meet the grant conditions, IPONZ only examines Novelty of exterior design. Designs can only be transferred to others after they have been granted a patent.
yes
20 years
Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand
English: Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand, abbreviation: IPONZ
Website: Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (iponz.govt.nz)
New Zealand invention patent search: Search Patent case(s) (iponz.govt.nz)
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" and "unintentional/due care" is accepted.
via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
Designs are entitled to a novelty grace period of 6 months from the filing date/priority date if:
- If a third party maliciously discloses the New Zealand application within 6 months of the filing date/priority date, making the design available to the public
- If a design application is made for a new or original textile product, the first confidential order does not affect the novelty of the application
- For example, when the design is disclosed to the government to assess the merits of the design
- If submitted within 6 months after the opening of the officially recognized exhibition
6 months
- Authorization Fee: There is no granted fee.
- Annuity: pay year by year from the 4th year of the application date, the applicant should pay within 3 months before the annual annual fee is due, if the annual fee is overdue, it can be paid within a grace period of 6 months, and the penalty should be paid at the same time.
IPONZ conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patent applications. The applicant/anyone can submit a request for substantive examination no later than 5 years from the date of application. If there is a request for review, the substantive review cannot be carried out until the 5-year period expires.