Proposed trade mark practice guideline amendment - Nice classification 9th edition

Published: 05.12.2006

The Ninth Edition of the International (Nice) Classification of Goods and Services for the purposes of the registration of trade marks will come into effect on 1 January 2007.

Please note - IPONZ will be closed for the Christmas period from 23 December 2006 to 3 January 2007. Accordingly, any specifications of goods and services for trade mark applications filed up to 11:59pm on 22 December 2006, must be filed in accordance with the 8th edition of the Nice Classification. From 23 December 2006, specifications of goods and services for trade mark applications must be filed in accordance with the 9th edition.

Trade mark applicants and owners of trade mark registrations, with trade mark applications or registrations under earlier editions of the Nice Classification may apply to the Commissioner for conversion to the ninth edition of the Nice Classification under regulation 139 of the Trade Mark Regulations 2003.

The IPONZ online trade mark search and application facilities will be updated to cater for the new edition. The Practice Guidelines on Classification and Specifications will also be updated with the wording introduced by the relevant legislation. The main changes are available at www.iponz.govt.nz select “Information Library” | “02. Trade Marks” | “4 Proposed Practices” | “9. December 2006”.

Comments on this proposed practice are invited and should be sent to theodore.doucas@iponz.govt.nz by 20 December 2006.