{"id":640,"date":"2020-12-03T23:12:43","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T23:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nz.legalvision.com.au\/?p=640"},"modified":"2025-07-14T20:10:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T07:10:43","slug":"patent-idea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/intellectual-property\/patent-idea\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Patent an Idea in New Zealand?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have developed a great concept for a business, you may be concerned about others copying your idea, especially before you have had the opportunity to launch your new business. Unfortunately, it is not possible to patent an idea alone, and it is difficult to prevent others from copying your idea or running the same type of business as you. While it may not be possible to patent your new idea, this article will explore some of the other ways to protect your idea from widespread disclosure before you make it public.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"my-7 lg:my-10 border-y-2 border-gray-100 py-7 lg:py-10 flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-start gap-10\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-52 mx-auto my-0! rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/28132215\/trade-mark-essentials-NZ.jpg\" alt=\"Front page of publication\"\n                 loading=\"lazy\" width=\"208\" height=\"298\">\n                <section>\n            <div class=\"text-2xl font-bold\">Trade Mark Essentials in New Zealand<\/div>\n            <div class=\"body-text\">\n                <p>Our free Trade Mark Essentials in New Zealand guide explains how to register and defend your trade mark registration.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/go.legalvision.co.nz\/nz-trade-mark-guide.html\" class=\" block px-5 py-3.5 max-w-fit bg-orange button__hover transition rounded text-white font-bold text-lg no-underline uppercase leading-tight text-center\" target=\"\" rel=\"\">Download Now<\/a>        <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is a Patent?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patents are a form of <a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/category\/intellectual-property\/\">intellectual property<\/a> (IP) protection that allows inventors to have exclusive rights to commercialise their invention. A patent gives the owner a legal right to stop other people from:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">making;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">using; or&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">selling something that they have invented.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A patent lasts for up to 20 years. Patents are available for tangible subject matters, like:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">inventions;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">processes; and<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">some forms of code.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is not business models or concepts for apps and, unfortunately, ideas alone are not patentable no matter how inventive they may be.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Take rideshare businesses as an example. While many remember Uber as the first company to implement this innovative business model, nowadays they are certainly not the only ones operating in the market. Uber was not able to obtain a patent for the business model or idea of ridesharing, which has allowed for healthy competition.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patents do also have their disadvantages. One downside is that in order to obtain a patent, a complete description of the invention must be made public. Once the patent expires after 20 years, the entire world can access and copy the invention.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Another disadvantage is that patents are generally only enforceable in the countries w<\/span>here you register them<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. A New Zealand patent gives you rights to prevent others from copying your invention in New Zealand only. Often, the costs associated with worldwide patent protection can be prohibitive for founders. This is yet another reason why many founders choose not to register a patent for their new invention.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How Can I Protect My Idea Without a Patent?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Contractual Confidentiality Protection<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you go public with your business model, there is not much you can do about others copying your idea. However, if your idea is not leaked until launch, you will have a great advantage over competitors. While they may try to copy your idea, if<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> you<\/span> streamline your<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> internal processes, <\/span>train your <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">employees, and d<\/span>evelop your <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">technology, your competitors will be several steps behind you if they try to start a similar business.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the pre-launch stage of your business, you should ensure that every person or company you deal with is subject to strict confidentiality requirements. When you are in initial discussions with potential employees, app developers, or investors &#8211; you should have each person you disclose any sensitive business information to sign an NDA (non disclosure agreement).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once any of these individuals or companies are engaged by you under a more formal contract, you should ensure that the formal contract also has a strong confidentiality clause.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remember &#8211; NDAs are best used for initial discussions with:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">potential employees;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">service providers; and<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">investors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They only cover the exchange of information. Once you have decided to engage the party, a more formal contract should be signed that will cover all aspects of the relationship. This includes aspects such as:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">payment;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">services to be provided;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">non-compete clauses; and<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">confidentiality clauses.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#content-next\"\n   class=\"block p-4 mt-10 text-xl font-bold text-center text-white no-underline bg-gray-800 rounded-t-xl\">\n    Continue reading this article below the form\n    <i class=\"text-xl fa-regular fa-arrow-down\"><\/i>\n<\/a>\n<div class=\"px-6 pt-10 pb-12 mb-10 text-center bg-gray-100 rounded-b-xl sm:px-12 test\">\n    <div class=\"mb-8 text-2xl font-bold text-orange\">\n        Need legal advice?\n        <br>\n        <span class=\"text-lg not-prose\">\n                            Call <a href=\"tel:+64800005570\" class=\"not-prose\">0800 005 570<\/a> for 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A trade mark provides you with the exclusive right to use a particular word or symbol in relation to the goods or services that the mark covers.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, while Uber was not able to prevent other businesses from developing competing ride sharing platforms, they did make sure to trade mark the brand name \u2018Uber\u2019. This meant that Uber were able to ensure that no-one else was able to cash in on the reputation that their brand had established by being the first to market.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trade mark applications have a minimum six month processing time in New Zealand, so it is important to register your trade mark as an early step in your business. Trade marks are frequently rejected, so it is important to have your trade mark registered before you invest in branding and marketing costs.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n    <p>For example, if there is another already registered brand name or logo that is similar to your proposed trade mark, your application will be rejected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once registered, a trade mark lasts for 10 years in New Zealand and can be renewed on an ongoing basis. Trade mark protection only extends to the countries in which you register your brand. If you need protection for your brand outside of New Zealand, you will need to register in other countries separately.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While patents are generally unavailable for ideas and business models because they lack a tangible form, there are other ways that you can protect your idea before you launch. Making sure that you protect your brand name with a trade mark is an important step in warding off copycats, and if you ensure that everyone you disclose your new idea to is bound by confidentiality obligations in contracts, then you can feel more secure that your idea will not leak before launch. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"box box--icon box--warning\">\n    <p>LegalVision cannot provide legal assistance with patents. We recommend you contact your local law society.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1606880228344\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong><strong><strong>What is a patent?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Patents are a form of intellectual property (IP) protection that allows inventors to have exclusive rights to commercialise their invention.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1606880258379\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>What can I patent?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Patents are available for tangible subject matters, like inventions processes and some forms of code.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1606880271477\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong><strong><strong>How long does a patent last?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A patent will last for 20 years.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you have developed a great concept for a business, you may be concerned about others copying your idea, especially before you have had the opportunity to launch your new business. Unfortunately, it is not possible to patent an idea alone, and it is difficult to prevent others from copying your idea or running the<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.nz\/intellectual-property\/patent-idea\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;Can You Patent an Idea in New Zealand?&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13109,"featured_media":17,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"1392,219097,219316,1957,1639,203585","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[24,49,50,51],"class_list":["post-640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-intellectual-property","tag-startup","tag-patent","tag-business-idea","tag-intellectual-property"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast 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