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COVID-19 – UKIPO reviews and extends period of ‘interrupted days’

United KingdomScotland
03/06/2020
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The UKIPO has reviewed and again extended the so-called period of ‘interrupted days’ which started on 24 March 2020 to at least 22 June 2020. An ‘interrupted day’ is defined as “a day in which the normal course of business at the IPO is not possible”.

Accordingly, most deadlines for trade marks, designs, patents and supplementary protection certificates suspended since 24 March 2020 remain suspended. The extension of deadlines applies to all time periods relating to trade marks and designs mentioned in the Trade Mark and Registered Designs Rules (e.g. opposition deadlines, deadlines to respond to examiners’ objections, etc.). The extension does not apply to deadlines set by the Trade Mark and Designs Acts (e.g. deadlines for priority claims and the grace period for registered design renewals).

The UKIPO will review the situation again on 22 June 2020. The UKIPO has confirmed that it will provide a minimum of two weeks’ notice before ending the interrupted days period. In the meantime, rights holders and IP professionals are asked to continue using online services where possible to keep cases moving forward.

The guidance can be found here.

The UKIPO is also warning that it is currently unable to issue renewal letters – these will be issued once the UKIPO re-opens. Rights holders are advised to manage renewals pro-actively.

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