This page contains information about advocacy, common aspects of commercial disputes and intellectual property. It is a general guide for lawyers and clients. Please get in touch if you need further information or want to discuss how this might apply in a particular situation.
Passing off
The law of passing off prevents traders from appropriating the goodwill of their competitors by passing off their business as either being that of or associated with the business of another. To a certain extent the law [...]
Comparative advertising and the Fair Trading Act
While the Trade Marks Act governs whether comparative advertisements are permitted in the first place, the Fair Trading Act complements this regime by providing rules that can be used to regulate the substance of such advertisements. There [...]
Fair Trading Act
The Fair Trading Act regulates the conduct of people who are engaged in trades. It is primarily a consumer protection measure, but is also readily used by competitors engaged in intellectual property disputes, given the relatively broad wording [...]
Trade mark oppositions
This post looks at the trade mark opposition procedure in New Zealand, some practical tips for enhancing your chances of success on an opposition and options if no opposition is lodged and a mark proceeds to registration. [...]
Trade marks – overview
Overview The Trade Marks Act 2002 allows for the registration of words, logos and other material as trade marks. The law recognises that traders may promote their goods and services by reference to names, logos and other [...]
Intellectual property law – an overview
At the broadest level, the law recognises a difference between the rules applying to tangible and intangible property. Intellectual property law concerns rights associated with intangible property, being ideas, information and other results of intellectual effort and [...]