The Hearings Office of the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) has published new trade mark hearings guidelines.

It says the guidelines are intended to guide and inform parties involved in trade mark hearings, and reflect the current accepted IPONZ Hearings Office practice.

They are to be read in conjunction with the relevant legislation, which is referred to throughout the guidelines.

The new guidelines are written in a plain English style. IPONZ says they focus on challenging areas for clients, such as comprehensive information on the evidence requirements in IPONZ hearings.