Amid the spread of COVID-19 and social distancing, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has advised of the precautionary measures they are taking.  Gowling WLG is actively monitoring and adapting to the situation. The key takeaways from CIPO are:

  • All deadlines falling between March 16 and March 31 have been automatically extended to April 1.
  • If the current circumstances continue, CIPO may decide to designate more days, resulting in further extensions of time.
  • CIPO is remaining open and in operation, but applicants and rights holders should expect significant delays in all CIPO services.
  • CIPO's online solutions are available 24/7.
  • Hearings of the Patent Appeal Board and the Trademarks Opposition Board will take place by telephone and/or teleconference until at least April 30, 2020, or will be postponed.
  • Designated regional offices, to which correspondence with CIPO can usually be delivered, will be making their own decisions about whether to remain operational or open to the public. However, 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 March 31, 2020. At present, we are advised that the regional offices in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver are not receiving CIPO correspondence until further notice.

Our IP Team at Gowling WLG are taking all measures to ensure that deadlines are met and IP rights are protected.  We will continue to keep you informed as further developments arise.  All Gowling WLG clients can expect to receive the same high level of service throughout this challenging time. Our team remains fully available to address your needs, including those related to COVID-19.

If you have any questions as to how the CIPO notice impacts your IP portfolio in Canada, please contact your Gowling WLG professional. For other COVID-19 related resources, please visit our resource hub with information to help clients manage their business during the pandemic. The hub contains critical information to guide you through various complex legal issues, as well as a list of key contacts who can provide advice on these issues.