Hon Minister Paul Goldsmith
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

9 March 2016 Media Statement

Consulting on TPP’s intellectual property implementation

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith today released a consultation document showing how the Government proposes to implement the intellectual property changes required to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

“TPP is New Zealand’s largest free trade agreement. The TPP economies are worth US$28 trillion and open New Zealand companies up to a customer base of 800 million people,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“While most of the provisions are consistent with New Zealand’s existing intellectual property settings, some changes to our laws will be required before we can ratify the final agreement.

“Releasing the consultation document shows how the changes could be implemented and allows for public comment and input before legislation is introduced to Parliament.

“The changes include a revised regime for technological protection measures, or digital locks, patent term extensions in certain situations when there are unreasonable delays in examining the patent or getting regulatory approval, a more extensive performers’ rights regime and new powers for Customs to detain goods that infringe copyright or registered trademarks.

“TPP has been the most widely-consulted Free Trade Agreement in New Zealand’s history and I encourage New Zealanders with an interest in intellectual property to have their say,” Mr Goldsmith says.

The intellectual property changes will be included in a bill covering all domestic legislative changes required to ratify TPP. This bill is expected to be introduced to Parliament this year.

To read the consultation document and provide a submission go to
www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/business/intellectual-property/tpp-intellectual-property-chapter/implementation-consultation.

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