COVID-19: Impacts On IP Activity In The Courts And UK IPO

COVID-19 is an unprecedented crisis impacting many countries. However, in the UK, maintaining access to justice is considered so important that overcoming the social distancing hurdles is generating a speedy evolution in procedural law and practice. The intellectual property courts and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) have adapted quickly to use technology to minimise disruption to normal business. Here is what you need to know.

Intellectual property disputes in the courts

New interim law and amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules

The Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) govern the conduct of civil litigation in the Courts of England and Wales. To enable court business to continue to operate by using videoconferencing platforms rather than in physical court rooms, a new CPR Practice Direction "51Y" has been introduced.