International associates
Your Trusted Trans-Tasman Trademark Associate
We act as trademark attorneys for international firms and their clients across Australia and New Zealand — handling everything from filing and prosecution through to provisional refusal responses, disputes, watching, and portfolio management.
If you are looking for a reliable, responsive Trans-Tasman associate, Signify IP offers the specialist trademark expertise, clear communication, and efficient service that international firms need from a local partner.
We handle the full range of trademark work across Australia and New Zealand on behalf of overseas attorneys and agents — from initial filing and prosecution through to examination reports, opposition proceedings, watching services, and ongoing portfolio management. Our instructions are flexible — we work comfortably by email or through whatever workflow suits your practice.
A significant part of our associate work involves responding to provisional refusals issued by IP Australia and IPONZ on Madrid Protocol designations. Response deadlines vary by country — in Australia the deadline is generally 15 months from the date of the provisional refusal, and in New Zealand it is 12 months. Acting promptly with the right local expertise is critical. We also act as the local address for service in Australia and New Zealand, ensuring no official correspondence goes missing and every deadline is captured from the moment it arrives.
We understand what international associates need: accurate advice, fast turnaround, transparent costs, and a local team that keeps your clients informed without creating more work for you. That is what we deliver.
What we handle
A full-service Trans-Tasman trademark practice — everything your clients need, managed locally.
01
Filing and prosecution of trademark applications through IP Australia and IPONZ
02
Madrid Protocol designations — receiving and managing international applications designated to Australia and New Zealand through WIPO
03
Responding to provisional refusals on Madrid Protocol designations — acting directly with IP Australia and IPONZ on your behalf, managing deadlines from the date of the refusal, and providing a local address for service so no official correspondence is missed
04
Responding to adverse examination reports from IP Australia and compliance reports from IPONZ on direct filings
05
Opposition proceedings before IP Australia and IPONZ — filing, evidence rounds, hearings, and defence
06
Non-use removal and cancellation proceedings before IP Australia and IPONZ
07
Trademark watching services across the Australian Trade Marks Register, the New Zealand register, and international registers
08
Cease and desist correspondence and pre-litigation trademark advice
09
Portfolio management — renewals, assignments, recordals, and ongoing maintenance across Australian and New Zealand trademark portfolios
10
Reporting and status updates in whatever format suits your practice
How it works
Working with us is straightforward.
Send us your instructions
By email or through your preferred workflow — we adapt to how your firm operates, not the other way around.
We confirm scope and costs
We provide a clear cost estimate upfront based on your fixed fee schedule before any work begins. No surprises.
We handle the matter
We manage the filing, correspondence with IP Australia or IPONZ, and any prosecution through to acceptance — keeping you informed at every stage.
We report back to you
Clear, timely reporting in whatever format works for your practice. You stay in control of the client relationship.
We manage ongoing requirements
Renewals, watches, responses, and portfolio maintenance handled proactively so nothing falls through the cracks.
Key considerations
What international firms need to know about Trans-Tasman trademark practice.
Provisional refusals on Madrid Protocol designations
When IP Australia or IPONZ identifies grounds for refusal on an international designation, they issue a provisional refusal through WIPO. In Australia the response deadline is generally 15 months from the date of the provisional refusal — in New Zealand the deadline is 12 months. Both deadlines are strict and missing them means the designation lapses in that country.
We respond directly to IP Australia and IPONZ on your behalf — not through WIPO — which means faster, more direct communication and no risk of correspondence being lost in transit. We also act as the local address for service in both jurisdictions, ensuring every official notice is received and actioned from day one.
The most common grounds for provisional refusal in both jurisdictions mirror those for domestic applications — descriptiveness, similarity to existing marks, and specification scope issues. Our approach is the same as for direct filings: assess the grounds, develop the strongest strategy, and advise you clearly before any response is filed.
Opposition windows
In Australia, third parties have two months from the date of acceptance to file a notice of opposition. In New Zealand the period is three months from acceptance. Active monitoring is essential to protect your clients’ existing rights — our watching service covers both registers.
Examination timeframes
IP Australia and IPONZ both examine most applications within a few months of filing. We keep you updated on examination outcomes and move quickly on any adverse reports or compliance reports to protect your client’s timeline.
Power of attorney requirements
Neither IP Australia nor IPONZ requires a formal power of attorney for most trademark matters, which simplifies the filing process for international associates. We will advise if a specific matter requires additional authorisation.
Coordinating AU and NZ filings
For clients filing in both Australia and New Zealand, we manage both matters together — coordinating deadlines, reporting, and strategy across both jurisdictions so you deal with one point of contact rather than two.
Our fees
Transparent, competitive fees with no surprises.
We offer fixed fee schedules for international associates covering all standard trademark services across Australia and New Zealand — filing, prosecution, provisional refusal responses, examination report responses, watching, and portfolio management. Fee schedules are available on request and can be discussed as part of an initial conversation about establishing an associate relationship.
There are no hidden charges. Official fees from IP Australia and IPONZ are passed through at cost and itemised separately.
Common questions from international associates
Common questions, answered clearly.
Before you get in touch
Responsive, specialist, and straightforward to work with.
Fixed fee schedules available on request
Registered Australian trademark attorney with direct IPONZ filing under the Trans-Tasman system
Local address for service in Australia and New Zealand
Response within 1 business day
Work with us
Tell us about your firm and we'll be in touch.
Whether you have an immediate matter to refer or want to establish an ongoing associate relationship, we would love to hear from you. Send us your details and we'll follow up promptly with our fee schedule and anything else you need.