MBIE has announced that a world-first tool is available on the Intellectual Property office of NZ (IPONZ) website.

The tool, Trade Mark Check, can be used to identify in one click if a trade mark image, logo or word is unique or not.

“With Trade Mark Check you can find out instantly if somebody else has already applied to register the trade mark, and potentially save thousands of dollars in branding costs,” says Rebecca James, IPONZ Trade Marks Manager.

The tool is free to use and is available for use on a phone, tablet or laptop. IPONZ has launched it as a beta version and is taking feedback on to ensure that it is the best possible product that anyone can use and that it works best for the users.