Just as other sectors are reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic, so
are intellectual property offices around the world ("IP
Offices"). The measures that some IP Offices are enacting
include providing extensions for some due dates to account for
disruption caused by COVID-19. Below are summaries of some IP
Offices' approaches to addressing issues relating to due date
compliance that are potentially raised by COVID-19 in place as of
March 18, 2020.
Canada
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office ("CIPO") has
issued a notice that it will extend due dates under the Patent
Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design
Act (the "IP Acts") that fall in the period of time
beginning on March 16, 2020 and ending on March 31, 2020 (the
"Designated Dates"). Specifically, any due date falling
within the Designated Dates is extended to the next day that is:
(i) not within the Designated Dates; and (ii) not a weekend or
holiday (as prescribed under the relevant IP Acts). It should
