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A Patent is a legal right that gives you exclusive control over your invention in New Zealand. It stops others from making, selling, or using your creation without your permission for up to 20 years, as long as you share detailed information about how it works with the Intellectual Property Office.

To get patent protection, your invention must be new, innovative, and useful. Common examples include new medicines, manufacturing processes, or technological devices. Once granted, you can license your patent to others or take legal action against anyone who copies your invention without approval.

Consider getting a Patent when you've created something new and commercially valuable that others might copy. This protection becomes crucial if you're developing innovative technology, planning to license your invention, or seeking investment for your product launch in New Zealand.

Patents work especially well for unique manufacturing processes, new medical treatments, or technical solutions to industry problems. Time matters - file your application before sharing your invention publicly or starting commercial discussions. Remember that your competitors can freely copy your innovation if you don't secure patent protection early.

• Standard Patents: Protect innovative products or processes for 20 years. These offer the strongest protection and cover most technological inventions.
• Innovation Patents: A faster, 8-year protection for incremental improvements to existing technology. Great for rapidly evolving industries.
• Divisional Patents: Split from an existing patent application to protect different aspects of the same invention separately.
• PCT Applications: International patents that let you file in multiple countries while keeping your New Zealand priority date.

• Inventors: Individuals or research teams who create new technologies and seek protection for their innovations through the patent system.
• Patent Attorneys: Legal specialists who help draft patent applications, conduct searches, and navigate the registration process.
• IPONZ Officials: Government examiners who review applications and grant patents under New Zealand's Patents Act 2013.
• Business Owners: Companies that commercialize patented inventions through manufacturing, licensing, or selling products.
• Competitors: Other businesses who must respect patent rights or negotiate licenses to use protected technologies.

• Document Your Invention: Create detailed drawings, descriptions, and working examples of your invention before filing.
• Search Existing Patents: Check IPONZ databases to confirm your invention is truly new and innovative.
• Technical Details: Prepare complete specifications explaining how your invention works and its practical applications.
• Commercial Plan: Outline how you'll use or license the patent commercially in New Zealand.
• Expert Review: Have a patent attorney review your documentation - our platform helps organize everything they'll need to assess.

• Title: Clear, specific name describing your invention's core function or purpose.
• Abstract: Brief summary explaining the key technical features and benefits in under 150 words.
• Background: Description of existing solutions and how your invention improves upon them.
• Detailed Description: Step-by-step explanation of how your invention works, with technical drawings.
• Claims: Precise statements defining the exact scope of patent protection you're seeking.
• Inventor Details: Full names and addresses of all contributing inventors.
• Priority Information: Details of any related patent applications filed in other countries.

Patents and Patent knowhow licence agreements serve different but complementary roles in protecting intellectual property. While a Patent provides exclusive rights to an invention, a Patent knowhow licence deals with sharing the practical knowledge needed to use that invention effectively.

• Protection Scope: Patents protect the invention itself and prevent others from making or using it without permission. Knowhow licences cover the technical expertise and trade secrets needed to implement the invention successfully.
• Duration: Patents last up to 20 years in New Zealand, while knowhow licences can continue indefinitely as long as the information remains confidential.
• Public Disclosure: Patents require full public disclosure of the invention, but knowhow licences protect confidential information that isn't publicly available.
• Legal Enforcement: Patents provide stronger legal protection against infringement, while knowhow licences rely primarily on contractual obligations between parties.