Patent Office Updates You Need to Know (October 20, 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 United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director Iancu met with representatives from the Australia IP Office and from the Korean IP Office to discuss the impact of COVID-19, cooperation on quality topics, WIPO Director General priorities, and other topics of mutual interest, such as relief measures in response to COVID-19 and bilateral cooperation efforts, on October 15, 2020.
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The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) Executive Director released a video update which outlines how the office has adapted to a full return to the office as well as its experiences with examination and administration of applications in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, on October 15, 2020.
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China’s National People’s Congress Approves Amended Patent Law: China’s Legal Daily and Xinhua, reported that the 22nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress completed the revision of the Patent Law. June 1, 2021 will be the effective date of the newly amended patent law. More information on Patent Open License System, damages, and Patent Term Extensions is available here.
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The Czech Republic IP Office (UPV) has laid out its rules of operation following the adoption of crisis measures. The rules, which will be followed from October 12 until October 25, 2020, include users being urged to conduct all IP procedures online. Furthermore, it means that the registry's physical premises is only open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am until 2pm, with any visitors required to wear a face-mask.
- 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.
