On Monday, November 23, 2020, CIPO released the following update on Notices of default issued in error:
To support our clients who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) put in place several periods of designated days between March 16, 2020, and August 28, 2020, effectively suspending most deadlines. With the designated days ending on August 28, 2020, the Trademarks and Industrial Designs Branch resumed issuing notices of default. As a consequence, a high number of notices were issued during the month of September 2020, some of which were issued in error.
To resolve this issue efficiently, we ask that agents and applicants who have received notices of default in error contact the examiner on file by phone to request the removal of the default. Alternatively, you are invited to send a correspondence in response to the notice of default with supporting evidence that it was sent in error.
We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may have caused.
On Wednesday, September 23, 2020, CIPO released a new patent practice notice on Extension of Time Requests Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic:
The period of days designated under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act has ended. Patent applicants and patentees who have been adversely impacted by the pandemic may still request a further extension of time under subsection 3(1) of the Patent Rules.
For more details, please refer to the Notice on Extension of Time Requests Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
On Wednesday, August 19, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office announced a service interruption to all CIPO online services from 2020-08-21 at 7 p.m. EDT to 2020-08-23 at 11:59 a.m. EDT:
Due to critical maintenance, all of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)'s online and fax services will be unavailable starting Friday, August 21 at 7 pm EDT, and ending on Sunday, August 23 at 11:59 pm EDT.
Per the notice of August 19, the period of designated days ends on August 28, 2020. We continue to encourage our clients to complete their required actions as soon as possible if they are in a position to do so. This includes completion of online and fax submissions in advance of the critical maintenance shutdown.
CIPO strongly recommends using existing deposit accounts for payments, to help ensure fees are processed as quickly as possible. If necessary, we encourage clients to replenish their deposit accounts with CIPO using wire transfers, in advance of the critical maintenance shutdown.
Please visit the CIPO COVID-19 page for more information on the end of designated days. For date-sensitive material, please review our correspondence procedures.
On Wednesday, August 19, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office announced an additional extension to designated days:
To support our clients dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) put in place several periods of designated days that effectively suspended most deadlines. This period had been extended until August 21, 2020.
However, due to the online and fax service interruption taking place from August 21, 2020 at 7 pm to August 23, 2020 at 11:59 pm, CIPO is instituting an additional extension to the period of designated days to provide additional flexibility to clients. Designated days will now end on August 28, 2020. We encourage our clients to complete their required actions now if they are in a position to do so, rather than wait until after the end of the period of designated days.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act; the Registrar of Trademarks, under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act; and the Minister, under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act, have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on August 24, 2020, and ending on August 28, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designations of the days in the period beginning on March 16, 2020, and ending on August 21, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before CIPO for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 15 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. This means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until August 31, 2020.
While this is the final extension of designated days, CIPO understands that our clients may still be facing challenges related to the pandemic. We encourage you to learn about other potential options for flexibility in meeting deadlines with CIPO.
For industrial designs, you may be able to request an extension of time before the expiry of a time limit under subsection 22(4) of the Industrial Design Regulations. For trademarks, you may be able to apply for an extension of time under section 47 of the Trademarks Act. For patents, you may be able to request an extension of time under subsection 3(1) of the Patent Rules. However, some deadlines cannot be extended, and others have prescribed limits to extensions of time.
Please visit the CIPO COVID-19 page or view our patent webinar on the end of designated days.
CIPO continues to work to alleviate backlogs caused by COVID-19 restrictions; however, clients should still expect some delays at this time. We appreciate the patience and flexibility our clients have shown during this challenging period, and we are committed to continuing to work with them to ensure their intellectual property needs are met.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO.
Please send correspondence only to the Ottawa and Gatineau offices. Other designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, remain closed until further notice.
Click here for more information.
On Wednesday, August 5, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office announced the final extension to the period of designated days:
To support our clients dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) put in place several periods of designated days that effectively suspended most deadlines. This is to inform you that CIPO is instituting a final extension to the period of designated days, ending on August 21, 2020. We encourage our clients to complete their required actions now if they are in a position to do so, rather than wait until after the end of the period of designated days.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act; the Registrar of Trademarks, under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act; and the Minister, under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act, have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on August 10, 2020, and ending on August 21, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designations of the days in the period beginning on March 16, 2020, and ending on August 7, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before CIPO for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 15 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. This means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until August 24, 2020.
While this is the final extension of designated days, CIPO understands that our clients may still be facing challenges related to the pandemic. We encourage you to learn about other potential options for flexibility in meeting deadlines with CIPO.
For industrial designs, you may be able to request an extension of time before the expiry of a time limit under subsection 22(4) of the Industrial Design Regulations. For trademarks, you may be able to apply for an extension of time under section 47 of the Trademarks Act. For patents, you may be able to request an extension of time under subsection 3(1) of the Patent Rules. However, some deadlines cannot be extended, and others have prescribed limits to extensions of time.
Please visit the CIPO COVID-19 page or view our patent webinar on the end of designated days.
CIPO continues to work to alleviate backlogs caused by COVID-19 restrictions; however, clients should still expect some delays at this time. We appreciate the patience and flexibility our clients have shown during this challenging period, and we are committed to continuing to work with them to ensure their intellectual property needs are met.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO.
Please send correspondence only to the Ottawa and Gatineau offices. Other designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, remain closed until further notice.
Click here for more information.
On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office released the following update:
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) remains open and in operation at this time. We are working to eliminate any residual delays in services that have occurred as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We are grateful to our clients and stakeholders for their patience as we have adjusted our operations to respond to restrictions related to COVID-19.
We have made efforts, in coordination with other intellectual property offices, to ensure flexibility for clients by using designated days to extend deadlines. However, we understand that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak is still having a negative impact on Canadians and Canadian businesses alike, and we remain committed to taking steps to reduce this impact.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act; the Registrar of Trademarks, under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act; and the Minister, under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act, have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on July 20, 2020, and ending on August 7, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designations of the days in the period beginning on March 16, 2020, and ending on July 17, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before CIPO for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 15 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. This means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until August 10, 2020.
It should still be noted that if the circumstances that led to the designation of these days continue, the Commissioner, Registrar and Minister may decide to extend the period of time for which days are designated.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Should you be able to complete your office actions during designated days we encourage you to do so. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public.
For more information, please click here.
On Wednesday, July 15, the Canadian Intellectual Property Institute released the following update regarding the Trademarks Opposition Board:
The Registrar is committed to ensuring that parties before the Trademarks Opposition Board (TMOB) are able to obtain extensions of their deadlines affected by COVID-19.
The Registrar has designated the days falling between March 16 and August 7, 2020 pursuant to section 66 of the Trademarks Act. The effect of this is that any deadlines set in the Trademarks Act, Trademarks Regulations or by the Registrar in a proceeding before the TMOB that fell between March 16 and August 7, 2020 now fall on August 10, 2020 (see section 66(2) of the Act and section 2 of the Regulations which allows for extensions of periods and deadlines fixed under the Act and Regulations, including any deadlines in opposition, section 45, and objection proceedings). For deadlines falling after the end of designated days, the Registrar will consider the disruption caused by COVID-19 a sufficient circumstance to obtain an extension of time under sections 47(1) and 47(2) of the Act upon request. The Registrar may also use its discretion under section 47(1) to extend deadlines on its own initiative if it is in the interests of justice to do so.
Click here for more information.
On Wednesday, July 8, 2020, CIPO made the following announcement on accelerated examination:
As innovators and businesses around the world work toward solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office is helping to ensure innovators can protect their patents and get their products to market as soon as possible. We are pleased to announce that we have launched a pilot project that will allow small entities (universities, or businesses employing 50 or fewer employees) to request that the examination of their patent applications for COVID-19-related products be accelerated. This process will apply to COVID-19-related products where the claimed invention is currently or has been subject to a Health Canada approval process. This pilot project will be limited to 50 applicants.
For further information on whether you qualify and how to take advantage of this new service, please consult the practice notice entitled Notice announcing accelerated examination of patent applications related to COVID-19 relief for small entities.
On Tuesday, June 30, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office released the following update:
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) remains open and in operation at this time. We are working to eliminate any residual delays in services that have occurred as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We are grateful to our clients and stakeholders for their patience as we have adjusted our operations to respond to restrictions related to COVID-19.
We have made efforts, in coordination with other intellectual property offices, to ensure flexibility for clients by using designated days to extend deadlines. However, we understand that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak is still having a negative impact on Canadians and Canadian businesses alike, and we remain committed to taking steps to reduce this impact.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act; the Registrar of Trademarks, under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act; and the Minister, under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act, have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on July 6, 2020, and ending on July 17, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designations of the days in the period beginning on March 16, 2020, and ending on July 3, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before CIPO for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 1529 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. This means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until July 20, 2020.
It should still be noted that if the circumstances that led to the designation of these days continue, the Commissioner, Registrar and Minister may decide to extend the period of time for which days are designated.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public.
For more information, click here: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00050.html#CIPOupdate
On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office released the following update:
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) remains open and in operation at this time. We are working to eliminate any residual delays in services that have occurred as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We are grateful to our clients and stakeholders for their patience as we have adjusted our operations to respond to restrictions related to COVID-19.
We have made efforts, in coordination with other intellectual property offices, to ensure flexibility for clients by using designated days to extend deadlines. However, we understand that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak is still having a negative impact on Canadians and Canadian businesses alike, and we remain committed to taking steps to reduce this impact.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act; the Registrar of Trademarks, under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act; and the Minister, under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act, have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on June 15, 2020, and ending on July 3, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designations of the days in the period beginning on March 16, 2020, and ending on June 12, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before CIPO for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 1529 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. This means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until July 6, 2020.
It should still be noted that if the circumstances that led to the designation of these days continue, the Commissioner, Registrar and Minister may decide to extend the period of time for which days are designated.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public.
For more information, click here: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00050.html#CIPOupdate
On Wednesday, June 3, CIPO's Trademarks Branch released the following update:
A new general correspondence service is available within the current eFiling system on the CIPO website and allows applicants, registered owners, and their agents, to send correspondence on a variety of trademark topics to the Office through the website, as an alternative to facsimile or postal mail. Examples of the types of correspondence that can be sent to the Office include: appointment or revocation of a trademark agent; cancellation or withdrawal of a registration or application; change of name or address; division of an application, and requests for extensions of time and will also allow clients to pay a fee, when applicable.
This service is only available where CIPO does not already have a dedicated online service.
Please note that the practice notice titled "Correspondence Procedures" has been amended to reflect this new service.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions are available 24/7. We encourage our stakeholders to use our online services for all transactions with CIPO where available.
On Tuesday, May 26, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office released the following update:
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) remains open and in operation at this time. We are working to eliminate any residual delays in services that have occurred as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We are grateful to our clients and stakeholders for their patience as we have adjusted our operations to respond to restrictions related to COVID-19.
We have made efforts, in coordination with other intellectual property offices, to ensure flexibility for clients by using designated days to extend deadlines. However, we understand that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak is still having a negative impact on Canadians and Canadian businesses alike, and we remain committed to taking steps to reduce this impact.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act; the Registrar of Trademarks, under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act; and the Minister, under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act, have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on June 1, 2020, and ending on June 12, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designations of the days in the period beginning on March 16, 2020, and ending on May 29, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before CIPO for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 15 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. This means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until June 15, 2020.
It should still be noted that if the circumstances that led to the designation of these days continue, the Commissioner, Registrar and Minister may decide to extend the period of time for which days are designated.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public.
For more information, click here: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00050.html#CIPOupdate
On Friday, May 22, the Canadian Intellectual Property Institute released the following update regarding the Trademarks Opposition Board:
Due to COVID-19, the Trademarks Opposition Board has not dispatched to parties any decisions since the designated days began on March 16, 2020. On or around June 1, 2020 the Trademarks Opposition Board will dispatch decisions prepared since the beginning of the designated days. After June 1, 2020, decisions will be dispatched to the parties as they are ready. The two-month period available to the parties to appeal the decision to the Federal Court pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the Trademarks Act applies to these decisions.
For further information, please consult CIPO's website page COVID-19 and CIPO operations https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04767.html.
On Wednesday, May 13, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office released the following update:
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) remains open and in operation at this time. We are working to eliminate any residual delays in services that have occurred as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We are grateful to our clients and stakeholders for their patience as we have adjusted our operations to respond to restrictions related to COVID-19.
We have made efforts, in coordination with other intellectual property offices, to ensure flexibility for clients by using designated days to extend deadlines. However, we understand that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak is still having a negative impact on Canadians and Canadian businesses alike, and we remain committed to taking steps to reduce this impact.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act; the Registrar of Trademarks, under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act; and the Minister, under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act, have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on May 19, 2020, and ending on May 29, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designations of the days in the period beginning on March 16, 2020, and ending on May 15, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before CIPO for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 15 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. This means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until June 1, 2020.
It should still be noted that if the circumstances that led to the designation of these days continue, the Commissioner, Registrar and Minister may decide to extend the period of time for which days are designated.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public.
For more information, click here: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00050.html#CIPOupdate
On Monday, April 27, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office posted the following update:
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) remains open and in operation at this time. While clients should expect delays with respect to some of our services, the organization has been gradually resuming most of its activities since March 16, 2020.
CIPO understands that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak is still having a negative impact on Canadians and Canadian businesses alike and remains committed to taking steps to reduce this impact.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act; the Registrar of Trademarks, under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act; and the Minister, under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act, have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on May 1, 2020, and ending on May 15, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designations of the days in the period beginning on March 16, 2020, and ending on April 30, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before CIPO for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 15 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. This means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until May 19, 2020.
It should still be noted that if the circumstances that led to the designation of these days continue, the Commissioner, Registrar and Minister may decide to extend the period of time for which days are designated.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public.
To learn more, click here: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00050.html
On Monday, April 27, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office's Client Service Centre resumed its intellectual property document order service. Clients should expect delays in the processing of their requests as CIPO works to fulfill orders in the backlog. Click here for more information.
On Friday, April 24, CIPO's Patent Branch held a webinar on service interruptions which can be viewed here.
On Wednesday, April 22, CIPO updated their FAQ page related to the Trademarks Opposition Board in the context of COVID-19 service interruptions:
Trademarks Opposition Board: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04766.html
On Monday, April 6, CIPO published an FAQ page related to the Trademarks Opposition Board in the context of COVID-19 service interruptions:
Trademarks Opposition Board: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04766.html
On Wednesday, April 1, CIPO released FAQ pages related to service interruptions caused by COVID-19:
Patent: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04762.html
Trademark: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04764.html
Industrial Design: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04763.html
On March 27, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office released the following update on CIPO operations and services:
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office remains open and in operation at this time, however clients should expect significant delays in all CIPO services.
CIPO understands that the current COVID-19 outbreak is having a negative impact on Canadians and Canadian businesses alike and is committed to taking steps to reduce the negative impact on our clients.
On account of the continuing unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act, the Registrar of Trademarks under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act, and the Minister under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act, and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on April 1, 2020 and ending on April 30, 2020. This designation is in addition to the previous designation of the days in the period beginning March 16, 2020 and ending March 31, 2020.
The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 15 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations, which means that all such time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until May 1, 2020.
It should still be noted that if the circumstances that led to the designation of these days continues, the Commissioner, Registrar and Minister may decide to extend the period of time for which days are designated.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions remain available to you 24/7 and anywhere. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public.
To learn more click here: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00050.html
On March 17, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office released the following statement:
The health, safety and security of CIPO staff, clients, partners and stakeholders is our top priority. At all times, CIPO will follow the guidance of public health authorities and the Government of Canada.
CIPO remains open and in operation at this time; however, clients should expect significant delays in all CIPO services.
On account of the unforeseen disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and being satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner of Patents, under subsection 78(2) of the Patent Act, the Registrar of Trademarks under subsection 66(2) of the Trademarks Act, and the Minister under subsection 21(2) of the Industrial Design Act have designated for the purposes of subsection 78(1) of the Patent Act, subsection 66(1) of the Trademarks Act, and subsection 21(1) of the Industrial Design Act all days in the period of time beginning on March 16, 2020 and ending on March 31, 2020. The result of designating these days is that if a time period fixed under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act in respect of any business before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for doing anything ends on any of these designated days, that time period is extended to the next day that is not either a designated day or a day that has been prescribed under section 5 of the Patent Rules, section 15 of the Trademarks Regulations and section 36 of the Industrial Design Regulations. It should be noted that if the circumstances that led to the designation of these days continues, the Commissioner, Registrar and Minister may decide to extend the period of time for which days are designated.
To ensure continuity of service, our online solutions are available to you 24/7 and anywhere. We encourage you to use the online services for all your transactions with CIPO. Please note that designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, may make their own decisions about remaining operational or open to the public. In the event that a designated regional office is closed and CIPO remains open, all deadlines will as a result of the designation be extended until April 1, 2020.
To learn more, click here: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00050.html
On March 16, 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office in response to Government directives regarding COVID-19, temporarily closed the Public Search Room (PSR) to clients. CIPO is looking for ways to safely provide the PSR services to clients.