Tag Archives: Canadian Intellectual Property Office

Patent Appeal Board

CIPO has announced it is continuing and expanding its procedure to refer final rejections of patent applications to a single member of the PAB in certain circumstances if the rejection only relates to patentable subject matter (with some exceptions), s27(4) and the Patent Rules. CIPO is working to “increase efficiencies and reduce turnaround times” at the PAB. The 2019-2020 Annual Report identified 71 appeals to the PAB and 41 decisions issued.

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Designated Establishments

CIPO has announced that it is discontinuing the acceptance of correspondence at designated establishments at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) regional mailrooms as of August 16th. These are currently available in Ottawa, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver. CIPO recommends electronic, in person or Canada Post as alternatives.

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Trademark Backlog

CIPO has published two practice notices directed to the backlog of trademarks awaiting examination:

  • Requests for expedited examination – “effective immediately the Office will begin accepting requests for expedited examination of trademark applications” on the basis of court proceedings, combating counterfeit products, protect marks on online marketplaces, or to preserve claims of priority.
  • Measures to improve timeliness in examination – the Office will prioritize applications with statements of goods or services selected from the pre-approved list, issue fewer examination reports prior to refusal, and will provide fewer examples of goods or services that would be acceptable in reports.

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