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COVID-19 Patent & Trademark Office Updates

As part of our dedication to helping our clients stay up-to-date on the ever-changing landscape as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve compiled the following highlights of changes to patent, trademark, and copyright operations around the world.  

As always, a complete list of countries may be found in our Google Document.

Update Highlights

  • The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a webpage including additional resources and information pertinent to the COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot program, on May 18, 2020.

  • The European Union IP Office (EUIPO) has confirmed that, as of May 18, 2020, the registry's extension period has come to an end.

  • EUIPO is hosting a webinar on the subject regarding extension of time limit in the face of COVID-19, on May 19 at 11am CEST.

  • The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced that all time limits expiring on or after March 15, 2020 are further extended until June 2, 2020.

  • The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) premises remains closed to the public, but in full operation with remote working.

  • Canada (CIPO) has announced most deadlines that fall between March 16, 2020, and May 29, 2020, are extended until June 1, 2020. Payment of a fee is considered to be "business before the Patent Office" with exception of fees payable to WIPO during the international phase of PCT, which are not extended.

  • Other general closures & deadline extensions have been added to the document.

If you have any patent or trademark questions during this time, do not hesitate to contact us.

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Vorys COVID-19 Task Force

Vorys attorneys and professionals are counseling our clients in the myriad issues related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  We have also established a comprehensive Coronavirus Task Force, which includes attorneys with deep experience in the niche disciplines that we have been and expect to continue receiving questions regarding coronavirus. Learn more and see the latest updates from the task force at vorys.com/coronavirus. 

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