Patent Office Updates You Need to Know (August 31, 2020)
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
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The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has ended designated days period. Normal deadlines and fee payment dates resumed as of August 28, 2020.
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The Russian IP Office (Rospatent) has published an interview with the head of the registry, Grigory Ivliev, stating that "the most unpleasant consequence of the pandemic for us was the decline in inventive activity. The introduction of anti-pandemic measures has led to a decrease in the number of applications not only from Russian, but also from foreign applicants. The situation is now improving." He further revealed that around 1,500 trademark applications have been "postponed" due to the pandemic, and that the current average time examination time of a trademark at Rospatent is "about six months."
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The Indian IP Office has announced that it will begin conducting Show-Cause Hearings through video conferencing if applicants’ consent, as of August 27, 2020.
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The Hong Kong IP Office has issued another update confirming the continuation of its “special work arrangements” until at least August 30, 2020.
- 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.
