How do I protect my business name or logo?

General information from Lawmateanz

Registering a company or business name doesn't give you exclusive rights to use it as a brand. To protect your name or logo, consider registering a trade mark with the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ).

A registered trade mark gives you the exclusive right to use it in New Zealand for the goods and services it's registered for. Registration lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.

Before you apply, search the IPONZ register to check no one else has a similar mark.

Unregistered brands may still have some protection under the Fair Trading Act or the law of passing off, but it's harder to enforce. An IP lawyer or patent attorney can help.

Written by Lawmateanz, not by a lawyer. General information only, not legal advice about your situation. For advice about your own matter, talk to a lawyer.

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General information only. Answers are written by independent lawyers based only on what's in the question. They aren't legal advice about your situation and don't create a lawyer–client relationship. For advice about your own matter, talk to a lawyer directly.