Copyright refers to the exclusive rights given to owners of original works such as literature, artistic works, communication works (eg, broadcasts) films and sound recordings.

Consultation on the Issues Paper 'Review of the Copyright Act 1994'.

This page provides information about copyright protection in New Zealand including what works qualify, how to protect your copyright and exclusive rights given by copyright.

The Government is reviewing the Copyright Act 1994. In November 2018, we released an Issues Paper for the review, which was the first stage of public consultation on the copyright regime. Consultation closed on 5 April 2019.

The Marrakesh Treaty aims to help people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print-disabled have access to books and other literary works in accessible formats.

New Zealand is party to various international copyright agreements that set out minimum standards of protection for copyright.

If you own intellectual property, you are responsible for monitoring the way it is used and protecting it against infringement.

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) is a business unit within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). IPONZ’s trade mark, patent and design services are fully cost-recovered. This means that IPONZ charges fees to recover the cost of its services from those who directly benefit from holding IP rights.

The government has prepared a draft bill to amend the Copyright Act 1994 and the Copyright (General Matters) Regulations 1995 to allow New Zealand to accede to the Marrakesh Treaty. This Bill is the Copyright (Marrakesh Treaty implementation) Amendment Bill.

The Copyright Act 1994 gives performers limited rights to control the exploitation of their performances where they haven’t given consent.