Intellectual property

Our team provides advice on all aspect of intellectual property, including:

protection and management of IP assets, including trade mark and domain name registration and portfolio management
confidential information, copyright, patents and geographical indications
intellectual property issues in an employment context
commercialisation of intellectual property, including licensing, franchising, funding and joint ventures
intellectual property rights under commercial contracts, including technology agreements
intellectual property issues relevant to evolving technologies, including AI
advertising, promotions, labelling and fair trading
intellectual property enforcement and dispute resolution.

Our team brings both our expertise and experience to advise on intellectual property aspects of corporate transactions, including due diligence, transitional arrangements and long-term strategic partnerships.

Our intellectual property team is part of our wider Consumer, Regulatory and Compliance team, ensuring that intellectual property advice is seamlessly coordinated with clients’ related compliance and commercial activities.

^{Chambers Asia Pacific 2025 Intellectual property, 'Band 2'.}

^{The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 Intellectual property, 'Tier 3'.}

^{2023 World Trademark Review 1000 Intellectual property, '}^{Bronze tier'.}

^{"The team at this law firm is unique due to their exceptional commitment to their clients. They are always responsive, professional, and empathetic. Their attention to detail is impeccable and their legal expertise is top-notch."}

LACTALIS

Advised on its proposed acquisition of Fonterra’s global Consumer and associated businesses.

"V Green" litigation for Suntory

Successfully represented Suntory in a seminal dispute concerning its trade mark registration for its distinctive "V Green" colour, Pantone 376C. This decision is now a pillar of the law around the registration of colour marks in New Zealand.

Coca-Cola bottle litigation for PepsiCo:

Successfully defended PepsiCo and Suntory against claims by Coca-Cola they had infringed its IP rights in its contour bottle shape.

Copyright infringement litigation for Vero Insurance

Successfully brought proceedings for copyright infringement in respect of the insurance policies and related commercial documents of the client's competitor.

Launch of Netflix into New Zealand

Advised on the launch of its streaming service, including various IP issues.

Rare trade mark objections

Successfully overcame non-distinctive objections raised by IPONZ around TE ARAROA THE LONG PATHWAY and TE ARAROA NEW ZEALAND’S TRAIL. Bell Gully prepared and submitted evidence from Geoffrey Chapple ONZM, creator of the trail, ensuring that the taglines of a true taonga of the nation were protected.

AMI Insurance sale to IAG New Zealand

Advised on the sale of its on-going insurance business to IAG including a large number of domain names and trade marks.

Goodman Fielder sale of Champion

Advised on the NZ$51m sale to Nisshin Flour Milling and Nisshin Seifun, including a range of trade mark licences, long term and transitional licence agreements.