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Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2015 submitted by New Zealand

I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PATENT INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of patent information activities and expected time frames for their realization. New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks.

Since 2012 the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) has had a 100% online business model which makes it simpler and easier for businesses to apply for and maintain their intellectual property rights, including patents, trade marks, designs and plant variety rights.  

IPONZ has a programme of work to grow awareness and use of intellectual property in New Zealand. This programme is based on in-depth customer research, completed in 2015, which gives IPONZ a better understanding of its customers helping maximise their experience across different channels and systems.

As part of this programme IPONZ also began a project to redevelop the IPONZ website, for implementation in 2016. The new website would have improved content and provide a quicker and easier way to access information to help customers understand and manage their intellectual property.  

The Patents Act 2013 came fully into force on 13 September 2014 and provided a modern patent regime that ensured patents are granted for innovations that are novel and inventive. The new regime requires that applicants, patentees and third parties must use the Commissioner’s electronic case management facility for all matters relating to patent applications and patents.

A Māori Advisory Committee was established under the Patents Act 2013 to advise the Commissioner on whether commercial exploitation of a claimed invention that is derived from New Zealand indigenous plants or animals, or traditional knowledge, would likely be contrary to Māori values.

The Patents (Trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys and Other Matters) Amendment Bill proposes to establish a single joint patent attorney registration regime between New Zealand and Australia.

Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes

In 2015, IPONZ had:

  • 6,363 total patent applications received.
  • 262 PCT designations.
  • 39,632 total patents on the IPONZ register.

Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.

Following are some useful links to pages from the IPONZ website.

II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) - URLs. Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

IPONZ operates a 100% online business model. One of the main features of the model is its online case management facility where customers search, apply and manage all IP cases. All New Zealand patent applications must be filed online via this facility. Other features of the facility include:

  • Self-service options for customers to update and maintain their own contact details.
  • Improved access to, and control over, all of their applications and registrations including the ability to follow an online workflow system to complete applications.
  • The ability to monitor case progression through their IPONZ inbox.
  • Management of their own messages from IPONZ by creating their own subscription for notifications about specific cases or changes to processes.
  • Electronic correspondence and all transactions take place in ‘real time’.
  • Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that allow customers to build software that connects directly to the IPONZ system.

All case management information connects seamlessly to and from the IPONZ website. All patents information on the website is easily available to customers and includes a guide that helps them with the application process.

The website also has the Patent Examination Manual which contains detailed information on the legislation and how it will be applied under the Patents Act 2013 and the Patents Regulations 2014. IPONZ also has detailed information to help customers with their search for existing patents.

Classification1, preclassification2 (if applicable), reclassification3 activities; classification systems used (e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC)); matters concerning indexing of patent information

All patent applications use the International Patent Classification system, except for provisional patent applications.

III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Main types of publications of the Office (patent applications, full text, first pages, abstracts, bibliographic data, granted patents, etc.), medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URLs)

IPONZ’s website is the leading source of information about IP in New Zealand and the key channel for communicating to all our customers. IPONZ’s website is kept up to date and any information that customers need to know features in the news section. Customers can also receive our subscription-based newsletter.

The patent section of the IPONZ website has a search function, a step by step guide to the application process and other details to help people get started and manage their applications.

IPONZ’s Call Centre is another point of contact for customers to obtain information about patents and other intellectual property.

Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URL), etc.

IPONZ is required by legislation to publish the Journal which contains information the Commissioner is required under the Patents Act 1953 and the Patents Act 2013 to advertise. It is a monthly publication with general information in PDF format and an online searchable section with all patents, trade marks and designs applications and registrations.

IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements

IPONZ operates a 100% online case management facility which is used by both staff and external clients for all aspects of IP applications, examinations, and maintenance. This facility is an easy to use web interface which seamlessly links with IPONZ’s website. The case management facility:

  • Provides tips on how to complete an application.
  • Enables external users to search, apply for, maintain and protect their IP.
  • Enables internal users to complete the processing and examination of applications.
  • Provides a mechanism to upload documents in real time via the web, to the publicly accessible intellectual property register.
  • Interfaces to other international intellectual property organisations and New Zealand Government agencies.
  • Provides the ability to accept and process payments.

In addition IPONZ offers a range of Application Programme Interfaces (APIs) so businesses can build software that connects directly to the IPONZ system. This government-to-business web service is offered to high volume clients, such as law firms, patent attorney firms and renewals agencies so they can submit information directly to IPONZ without needing to use the case management facility.

For international applications, IPONZ patent examiners have access to a range of international search tools, including EPOQUE, STN and GenomeQuest. Examiners may also use external web searches.

IPONZ is committed to continual operational improvement so regularly enhances functions in the case management system to address feedback from internal and external users and to improve the system. These enhancements are communicated to customers regularly, via our website and email for subscribers. 

V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF PATENT INFORMATION

Publications related to different business procedures and patent information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.

IPONZ produces a range of publications which support and promote the use of patents and intellectual property.

In 2015 IPONZ produced an infographic on the Different Types of Intellectual Property which provides a snapshot of the ways to protect a name, brand or idea using examples and images.

In association with IP Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, IPONZ produced a downloadable guide to the business aspects of intellectual property called Business Briefing: Maximising the potential of Intellectual Property for your business.

Every year IPONZ marks World IP Day. In 2015 IPONZ and the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys partnered to produce a free public seminar on music and intellectual property with an entertaining panel with some of New Zealand’s leading experts in their field.

Cooperation with universities, research centers, technology and innovation support centers, etc.

IPONZ partners with other New Zealand Government agencies, such as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and www.business.govt.nz, an agency that supports small to medium sized businesses, ensuring there is relevant and up to date IP content on their channels.

We also work in collaboration with other Government agencies in a range of ways, including attending and supporting small business roadshows, a series of events held around the country each year where people from across different business-focused government agencies give an overview of the support available to them.

In addition IPONZ operates a Patent Technical Focus Group which is a forum for communication between client representatives and IPONZ relating to technical patent IP services in New Zealand. It meets regularly to discuss feedback on proposed practices and upcoming publications.

IPONZ also operates a Hearings Technical Focus Group which covers matters related to patent and trade mark proceedings and hearings.

VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION

International exchange and sharing of patent information in machine-readable form, e.g., priority documents, bibliographic data, abstracts, search reports, full text information. Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to patent information

IPONZ is a member of multilateral intellectual property bodies and participates on a number of WIPO committees and working groups, including in 2015 attending the WIPO General Assemblies, meetings of the Patent Cooperation Treaty Working Group and the Madrid Working Group and Madrid Roundtable. 

On a bilateral level, IPONZ fosters international relationships with other IP offices. Under the Single Economic Market concept, the New Zealand and Australian Governments are working to remove regulatory barriers to businesses operating in both markets. As part of this the Governments are working together, to introduce a single regulatory framework for patent attorneys.

IPONZ and the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China (SIPO) have signed a bilateral arrangement with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the offices on operational intellectual property matters. The arrangement provides a platform for collaboration including sharing operational practices and IP awareness information to help businesses trading in New Zealand and China.

For more information on both of these relationships visit: www.iponz.govt.nz/about-iponz/international-cooperation/

IPONZ also participates in other international cooperation activities, including hosting a delegation from Vietnam and visits to the United Kingdom’s IP Office and the Canadian IP Office by IPONZ during 2015.

On a regional Asia-Pacific level, IPONZ participated in ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreements Intellectual Property Committee (AANZFTA IPC) meetings.

Assistance to developing countries

IPONZ also uses these fora to assist developing countries in their development of IP policies and systems and as part of the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreements (AANZFTA) trained other ASEAN countries on accession to the Madrid Protocol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.Classification is allotting one or more classification symbols (e.g., IPC symbols) to a patent application, either before or during search and examination, which symbols are then published with the patent application.

2. Preclassification is allotting an initial broad classification symbol (e.g., IPC class or subclass, or administrative unit) to a patent application, using human or automated means for internal administrative purposes (e.g., routing an application to the appropriate examiner).  Usually preclassification is applied by the administration of an office.

3. Reclassification is the reconsideration and usually the replacement of one or more previously allotted classification symbols to a patent document, following a revision and the entry into force of a new version of the Classification system (e.g., the IPC).  The new symbols are available on patent databases.

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