Patent and Trademark Office Updates You Need to Know

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. 

The following are a few recent updates identified in the past month.  However, as always, a complete list of countries may be found in our Google Document.

Update Highlights

• The Federal Circuit has further extended access restrictions to the National Courts Building complex October 31, 2021.
• The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office modified the COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program to accept applications until December 31, 2021. Requests that are compliant with the pilot program's requirements and are filed on or before December 31, 2021, will be accepted, even if more than 500 requests have already been approved.
• The EPO has released updated guidance for oral proceedings before the Boards of Appeal. 
• The Australian IP Office has reaffirmed its commitment to providing extensions of time to applicants affected by COVID-19.  Requests for such extension can be requested through their online portal, through phone at 1300 651 010, and international through +61 2 6283 2999.
• The Indian IP Office has released details of fees refunded against withdrawal of Patent Applications (Form 29) during January, 2021 to March, 2021.
• 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.