Changes to New Zealand Intellectual Property Government Fees

In 2018 the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) identified a gap between the fees being charged and the cost of recovery.

 

IPONZ are only allowed to charge fees to recover the costs of its services from those who directly benefit from them.

 

This review identified that most patent related fees needed to increase, whereas trade mark related fees needed to decrease.

 

Following the review process, including public submissions, the new fees were passed by Cabinet on 16 September.

 

It has been confirmed that the new fees will be in place from 13 February 2020.

 

There are various transitional provisions relating to the patent fees and when the new or current fees will apply.

 

The costs for new trade mark applications filed on or after 13 February 2020 are:

 

Trade Mark Fee

Old Fee

Fee Change

When does this change apply?

(a)   The specification consists only of pre-approved descriptions, and relevant search advice or preliminary advice was not obtained (or nether was obtained) within 3 months before the application was made

N/A

$70.00

The new fee ($70) will apply to applications, made on or after 13 February 2020

(b)   Both search advice and preliminary advice were obtained within 3 months before the application was made, and the information contained in the application is the same as the information to which the advice relates

N/A

$50.00

The new fee ($50.00) will apply to applications, made on or after 13 February 2020

Other applications to registration a trade mark or series of trade marks (including adding a class to an existing application)

$150

$100

The reduced fee will apply to trade mark applications filed on or after 13 February 2020.

 

Trade Mark Renewal government fees are also set to decrease from $350 per class to $200 per class.

 

Further details can be found in the September 2019 statement from IPONZ, which can be found here.

 

 

We will be contacting clients which may benefit from these changes.

 

If you have any questions please contact us.