Intellectual property refers to new or original innovations and creations of the mind. This section also covers copyright, trade marks, patents and other forms of intellectual property protection.

The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act 2011 sets out a process for dealing with copyright infringements that occur via peer-to-peer file sharing networks.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is seeking feedback on an exposure draft of the proposed new Plant Variety Rights (PVR) regulations. The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) is also seeking feedback on fees to support the new PVR regime. More information about both consultations is available on this page.

During September-December 2018 we consulted on an Issues Paper as part of our review of the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987

Designs protection gives the design’s owner the exclusive right to make, import, sell or license an article to which their design has been industrially applied.

Facilitating kaitiakitanga over taonga works and mātauranga Māori is proposed for future work in kete 1 of the whole-of-government approach to issues raised in Wai 262. This includes asking whether there should be a new legal framework to protect taonga works and mātauranga Māori and, if so, what that should look like.

The Authorised Entities listed below have notified the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment under section 69(2) of the Copyright Act 1994 that they intend to begin activities under section 69A of the Copyright Act 1994.

From 9 July to 9 September 2019 we consulted on an Options Paper as part of our review of the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is asking for feedback on the Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Act 2006 as part of reforms needed to meet negotiated terms of our Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union.

The proposed Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill is an omnibus bill intended to make ‘technical” amendments to the Patents Act 2013, the Trade Marks Act 2002, the Designs Act 1953 (the IP Laws), and the associated regulations.