The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has extended all time limits for EU trade marks and designs expiring between 09 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, it has been revealed.
In a statement issued on Monday, the regulator said the pandemic “constitutes an exceptional occurrence” and has “disrupted proper communication between parties worldwide and the Office”.
In practice, the decision means that an EU trade mark due for renewal on 20 March 2020 can now be renewed by filing a request with the regulator before 01 May 2020. The extension also applies to notices of opposition.
The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO), meanwhile, said it will take “whatever measures we can to support rights applicants and their attorneys who have been affected”.
This includes extending deadlines “where national and international legislation allows”, adding that it will also support affected customers “using the discretionary powers available to us”.
Commenting on the coronavirus outbreak, the UK regulator said: “The UK’s intellectual property legislation does not provide any single provision for all situations that may arise. Legal provisions depend on the nature of the late response and the circumstances of the delay. IPO staff can explain the options available and how reinstatement or restoration procedures work.”
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