Filing
The deadline for filing a convention application to register a design in New Zealand is 6 months from the priority date.
A certified copy of the basic application should be filed within 3 months of the filing date. A verified English translation should be filed, where relevant.
Single designs
A design application should be for a single design applied to one article or a set of articles.
Multiple designs
New Zealand does not currently provide for multiple design applications.
If the examiner considers that there is more than one design in the original application, any such additional designs can be divided out and pursued separately.
Examination
In New Zealand, there is no requirement to request examination. Rather the substantive examination process will begin automatically and typically within the first month after filing. A period of 12-months is provided to address any substantive issues raised during examination.
Deferral of registration
Registration can be deferred for up to 15 months from the New Zealand filing date. This ensures that the details of the design are not published until this period expires, even after any objections raised during examination have been overcome.
Registration
Once the examination process has been completed and examiner is satisfied that the design is registrable, the design will be registered. At this stage, all details of the design application including the representations will be published.
Term and renewal
In New Zealand, the maximum term of registration is 15 years.
The initial period of registration lasts for 5 years. A design may be renewed for two further periods of 5 years.
Grace period
New Zealand does not currently provide a grace period for designs.