In view of the advisory issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India and concerns raised by Stakeholders regarding COVID-19 outbreak, the Indian Patent Office (IPO) has issued a Public Notice on  March 19, 20120. According to the Notice:

  • All in person hearings in the Patents and Designs matters scheduled on or before  April 15, 2020 shall now be held via Video Conferencing (VC). If the applicant is unable to agree for the VC hearing, the hearing shall be adjourned for a date later than April 15, 2020.
  • The IPO will condone any delay in transmitting or resubmitting documents under the Patents Act, 1970, if a petition for such condonation of delay or extension of time is made not later than one month from the date when COVID19 outbreak ceased to exist.

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