The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has announced a further extension of deadlines to June 1, 2020.
CIPO is working hard to continue operations as usual in these unforeseen circumstances. To ensure Canadian intellectual property owners do not have their rights compromised by the Covid-19 pandemic, CIPO has extended statutory deadlines that fall between March 16 and May 29 to June 1, 2020.
Deadlines in trademark opposition proceedings have also been extended, but only to May 15, 2020. However, the Registrar has also decided that, for deadlines falling after May 15, the Registrar will consider the disruption caused by COVID-19 a sufficient circumstance to obtain an extension of time upon request. Further, the Registrar may also use its discretion to extend deadlines on its own initiative if it is in the interests of justice to do so.
While CIPO has also indicated its willingness to consider further extensions, the hope remains that they will not be necessary. Intellectual property owners who anticipate problems meeting the extended deadlines should speak with their Canadian agents as soon as possible to ensure that their rights are not impaired by the pandemic.
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