Daily Alert

CIPO

In a series of releases on Sunday evening, CIPO stated that, “there are no extensions in place for time limits and deadlines related to acquiring or maintaining intellectual property (IP) rights with CIPO” and directs people to online solutions. A notice on the CIPO website today, says that the regional offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal are not receiving CIPO correspondence until further notice. IPIC reports that patent agent exams will be rescheduled until the fall.

The EPO and EUIPO have announced an extension to their due dates until April 17, 2020.

The USPTO is waiving fees for certain petitions but has not extended deadlines.

CIPO’s email release from Sunday evening does not appear to be online but is reproduced below. Please let me know if there are any updates as this is obviously a dynamic situation:

The health, safety and security of CIPO staff, clients, partners and stakeholders is our top priority. At all times, CIPO will follow the guidance of public health authorities and the Government of Canada. CIPO will strive to share all information in a timely and transparent way about how the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) affects our operations.

CIPO is providing the following update in light of precautionary measures being taken across the Government of Canada and around the world to address the spread of COVID-19.

  • CIPO remains open and in operation at this time; however, clients should expect significant delays in all CIPO services. There are no extensions in place for time limits and deadlines related to acquiring or maintaining intellectual property (IP) rights with CIPO.

  • CIPO’s Client Service Centre is open. Phone lines, email, and receipt of orders for IP documents remain operational, with significantly reduced capacity in response time. However, the Public Search Room facility within the Client Service Centre at 50 rue Victoria, Gatineau, Quebec, is closed.

  • To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions are available to you 24/7 and anywhere. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public. In the event that a designated regional office is closed and CIPO remains open, it is the responsibility of CIPO’s clients to ensure that all deadlines are respected. Please consult CIPO’s correspondence procedures.

  • Hearings of the Patent Appeal Board and the Trademarks Opposition Board will take place by telephone and/or teleconference until at least April 30, 2020, or will be postponed.

  • Clients should consult CIPO’s list of service and website interruptions for periods during which certain CIPO services may be unavailable.