Patents Trade Marks Designs
Deadlines at the EPO, EUIPO and UKIPO during the COVID-19 Outbreak
March 22, 2020
The EPO and the EUIPO have automatically extended all deadlines due to the coronavirus pandemic; the UKIPO allows case by case discretionary extensions.
The European Patent Office, which is responsible for granting patent protection in Europe, has automatically extended all deadlines falling on or after 15th March 2020 to 2nd June 2020. All examination, opposition and appeal oral proceedings scheduled to take place over this period are also cancelled, unless already confirmed to take place by video conferencing.
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), which is responsible for granting registered trade mark and registered design protection in the EU, has automatically extended all deadlines which fall between 9th March 2020 and 17th May 2020 (both dates inclusive) to 18th May 2020.
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), which is responsible for granting patents, registered trade marks and registered designs in the UK, has indicated that 24th March and subsequent days until further notice will be “interrupted days”. These are days in which normal business at the UKIPO is not possible, and thus most IP deadlines falling on these interrupted days will be extended. The UKIPO will be providing at least 2 weeks’ notice before it ends this period of interrupted days.
(Article updated on 7th May 2020)
Scott Harrison
IP Director