This post was originally published March 18, 2020 and was updated on July 16, 2020.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office ("CIPO") announced a further blanket extension of all deadlines fixed under the Trademarks Act, the Patent Act, and the Industrial Design Act: all deadlines falling between March 16 and August 9 have been effectively extended to August 10, 2020.
Update
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office ("CIPO") has taken further action to accommodate COVID-19 related delays and interruptions to businesses. On July 15, 2020, CIPO announced another blanket extension of all deadlines fixed under the Trademarks Act, the Patent Act, and the Industrial Design Act, such that all deadlines falling between March 16 and August 7 (inclusively) have been automatically extended to the next regular CIPO business day. (Deadlines falling on August 8 and 9 are already effectively extended to August 10, under current CIPO practice, so no additional extension of time was required.). This means that the new due date is Monday, August 10, 2020 for any deadlines falling on the dates of March 16, 2020 to August 9, 2020 (inclusively).
CIPO has also advised that the new deadline in August may be further extended if warranted by circumstances.
Of note, although CIPO and its online solutions continue to operate as normal, CIPO warns that applicants and rights holders can expect significant delays in respect of all CIPO services.
Stikeman Elliott is operating well under remote work protocols for both lawyers and staff, and we will continue to meet original CIPO deadlines upon receipt of timely instructions from clients.
However, this further extension of time is a welcome safety buffer for applicants and registered rights holders who are currently working hard to address the business realities arising from COVID-19.
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