Malaysia Hotline: +603-2141 8908
New Zealand trademark
registration can be obtained for words, logo, numerals, slogan, device and
more. It is provides legal right of exclusivity for use of the mark to the
owner of the trademark. New Zealand trademark registration is however a long
process involving multiple steps. In this article we cover the trademark
registration process in New Zealand.
New Zealand Trademark Search
Before filling a New Zealand
trademark to the official trademark office for registration, we strongly
suggest having a thorough search conducted. Due to processes of search
conducted, you will know the chances of successful registration in a matter. We
will conduct a comprehensive search of the records held in the 'trademark
registry' by the government office, and report to you on any trademarks found
to be identical or deceptively similar to yours.
Unlike business or company name
registration, it can sometimes be difficult to register your trademark if a
similar mark is already in place. From comprehensive report can advise you of
options to overcome difficulties. We will also advise you on matters, other
than conflicting trademarks, that may cause problems or difficulty in
registering your mark.
Filing an New Zealand Trademark Application
Once the search is finalized, or
if you choose not to have a search conducted, we can file a New Zealand
Trademark application with the government office on your behalf. It is at this
stage, we must specify which of the 45 classes we are applying under. A fee is
charged per class or category required. A class is essentially a category of
goods or services. For example, if your trademark is to identify a clothing
label, then only one class would be required. However, if the trademark was
also the name of your shop then an additional class would be required.
New Zealand Trademark Examination
Once filed, the government
office will send a letter out within two weeks, to acknowledge the application
as filed and to allocate your official trademark number. This number remains
for the entire life span of your trademark.
The government office will then
‘examine’ your trademark application. This is to ensure that it complies with
the rules and regulations of trademark registration, and to ensure there are no
other issues that should prevent registration. The results of this examination
will mirror those provided by our office at the search stage, in nearly all
cases. The examination conducted by the government office will take
approximately four months, at which time they will forward either an
‘acceptance letter’, or an ‘adverse report’.
If your trademark is accepted,
your trademark will be advertised in the Official Journal of Trademarks on a
date specified at the time of acceptance. Once advertised, a formal ‘opposition
period’ will follow. An opposition period is for three months and means that
any third party can file an official objection against your trademark becoming
registered.
If the registrar issues an
examination report, it means that a problem, of some description, has been
found. If this is a minor issue, we will attend to it on your behalf and report
to you accordingly. However, if it is a bigger issue, such as a similar mark
has been found, or the trademark has been deemed generic, we will need further
information from you, in most cases, before responding the report.
New Zealand Trademark Protection
Once your mark has been
accepted, and presuming no third party objects to your registration during the
standard three month opposition period, your trademark will become registered
for a period of ten years start from the date of filing.
Contact
us
If you have further queries, please contact Tannet
24 hours Malaysia hotline：603-21418908;
24 hours Hong Kong hotline：852-27837818;
24 hours Hong Kong hotline：86-755- 36990589;
Email: mytannet@gmail.com
TANNET GROUP: http://www.tannet-group.net, http://en.tannet.com.my