Trade Marks Act 2002

Introduction

You could also call this:

"Protecting unique business symbols and respecting Māori culture"

This act aims to do several important things. It wants to make it clearer what rights you have when you register a trade mark. A trade mark is a special sign or symbol that shows a product or service belongs to a specific company.

The act also wants to make it easier and cheaper for people to register their trade marks. This will help businesses save money and time.

Another goal is to listen to Māori concerns about trade marks that use Māori signs, pictures, or words. This shows respect for Māori culture and traditions.

The act also wants to stop people from making fake products with registered trade marks. This helps protect businesses and customers from counterfeit goods.

Lastly, the act aims to keep New Zealand's trade mark rules up-to-date with what's happening in other countries around the world.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM164239.


Highlights from this law




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1: Title, or

"This law is called the Trade Marks Act 2002"

Trade Marks Act 2002

Reprint as at:
2025-03-30
Assent:
2002-12-04
Commencement:
see section 2

The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.

Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.

This Act is administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.