IPAS Challenges At ZIPO

Recently, the Industrial Property Automation System (IPAS) which is the IP management system used at Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Offices (ZIPO) to process all IP matters suffered a power surge which caused a breakdown in the system. As result of the malfunction, processing of pending applications is held in abeyance until the ZIPO technicians have repaired and restored the system. Until then, applications for IP matters will be accepted along with payments; however, the applications will not be captured or processed until the system is up and running again. This will mean that no official filing numbers will be provided but receipts will be issued for payments. With respect to renewals, although it will not be possible for ZIPO to process applications until the repair of the IPAS system, the Registry requires that applications for renewals are filed on or before the deadline to avoid surcharges for late renewal. As previously noted, there will be receipts for payment