Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property can be an important and valuable asset for organisations of all sizes ranging from sole traders and small businesses to whānau, hapū, and iwi entities. It is important to know what intellectual property you have and what steps you can take to protect your intellectual property.

There are different types of intellectual property rights, and a single idea, product, or service can intersect with many different intellectual property rights. We can advise you on how each of these different intellectual property rights work together, what protection may be available to you, and how your intellectual property fits within the New Zealand intellectual property system.

Identifying and protecting your intellectual property is an important investment for your business. Investing in intellectual property rights protection will help keep competitors out and protect your competitive advantage, while creating wealth, and enabling you to drive not only your financial goals, but also any social, environmental, and cultural goals you may have.

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Our Team

We have over 30 years experience assisting clients with navigating the intellectual property system, advising on intellectual property strategy, protection, enforcement, and commercialisation of intellectual property rights. We have particular experience with trade marks, copyright, licencing, and Māori intellectual property protection.

We can provide advice and support on:

  • identifying the intellectual property you have and the protections that might be available;
  • strategic intellectual property portfolio management in New Zealand and internationally;
  • identifying, registering, enforcing, and commercialising trade marks;
  • responding to objections raised by the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand, including objections raised by the Māori Advisory Committee;
  • addressing any unauthorised use of intellectual property;
  • managing intellectual property created by employees, contractors and collaborators;
  • licensing intellectual property to others;
  • incorporating intellectual property into wider commercial and governance strategies;
  • reviewing commercial arrangements involving intellectual property; and
  • advertising standards.

Intellectual property rights:

  • Trade marks
  • Registered designs
  • Copyright
  • Trade secrets
  • Geographical indicators

Protection of Māori and indigenous intellectual property

Kāhui Legal is unique as we are also able to advise on the recognition and protection of indigenous intellectual property, mātauranga Māori, taonga, cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, and Māori data.

Traditional intellectual property laws do not always provide adequate protection for mātauranga Māori and other forms of indigenous knowledge. We work with our clients to understand what can be protected using the common law system and what requires a unique pathway to ensure protection of the intellectual property and Mātaurana Māori.

We can provide advice and support on the following:

  • protecting trade marks that incorporate te reo Māori, Māori images, names or other cultural elements;
  • advising on the appropriate use of mātauranga Māori and indigenous knowledge;
  • establishing appropriate intellectual property ownership and governance structures for Māori entities;
  • preparing intellectual property policies and frameworks that recognise tikanga and traditional knowledge;
  • reviewing and advising on agreements involving mātauranga Māori and Māori data;
  • drafting commercial and research agreements to recognise and protect mātauranga Māori, Māori data, and indigenous knowledge; and
  • preparing licensing arrangements that recognise tikanga and provide appropriate safeguards for taonga.

Registered provider status:

  • Registered as an approved provider with Amotai
  • Registered as an approved provider with Regional Business Programme