Trade mark changes good for business, consumers
Hon Simon Power
Minister of Commerce
8 September 2011 Media Statement
Trade mark changes
good for business, consumers
Commerce Minister Simon Power today welcomed the unanimous passing of legislation that cuts compliance costs for businesses while cracking down on people who import and sell counterfeit goods.
Mr Power said the two bills, which make up the Trade Marks (International Treaties and Enforcement) Amendment Bill, are designed to cut compliance costs and make our trade marks system work better.
“The sale of counterfeit goods is a growing problem which is hurting the productivity and financial viability of businesses.
“This law sends a strong message that New Zealand is not an easy target for illicit trade in counterfeit goods and pirated works.
“It gives new powers to the Ministry of Economic Development and the Customs Service to investigate and prosecute people involved in the manufacture, importation, and sale of illegal goods.”
The bill also enables New Zealand to join three international treaties, bringing our trade marks procedures in line with international standards, and in particular closer to a single economic market with Australia.
“By joining these treaties we are clearing the way for our businesses to put their innovative ideas on the world stage.”
Joining the Madrid Protocol will open the way for New Zealand businesses to have their trade marks protected in up to 84 countries by filing one application and paying one fee. Signing up to the Nice Agreement and the Singapore Treaty better aligns New Zealand with international practice, making it easier for businesses to succeed internationally.
Background
Madrid
Protocol
Joining the Madrid Protocol provides
New Zealand trade mark owners with the possibility of having
their trade marks protected overseas by filing one
application for registration of a trade mark with the
Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand, and designating
one or more other countries which are also members of the
Madrid Protocol where protection is sought. Overseas trade
mark owners would also be able to use the Madrid Protocol to
protect their trade marks in New Zealand.
Nice
Agreement
The Nice Agreement provides a
classification system for goods and services for the
purposes of registering trade marks (the Nice
Classification). Countries that are party to this agreement
must apply the classification to registered trade marks,
although those not party to it may still apply it. New
Zealand has applied the Nice Classification to registered
trade marks for many years.
Singapore
Treaty
The Singapore Treaty aims to make
national trade mark registration systems more user-friendly
and reduce business compliance costs for trade mark owners.
It does this through the simplification and international
harmonisation of national registration procedures.
ENDS