IPOS issues a general extension on deadlines in light of circuit breaker measures
23 April 2020
In light of the implementation of nationwide measures to combat the transmission of Covid-19, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore has issued Practice Direction No. 1 of 2020, announcing an extension of deadlines.
The key updates from IPOS are as follows:
- IPOS has declared April 7, 2020 and May 7, 2020 (inclusive) as excluded days, says Andy Leck, principal at Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow in Singapore. “This means that while e-filing services continue to operate, all prescribed deadlines (including deadlines for filing applications and submitting documents) falling within this period will be extended to May 8, 2020.”
- Applicants need not file any deadline extension requests, says Ren Jun Lim, associate principal at the firm. “This extension is automatic, and applies to all electronic and manual submissions for matters under the patents, trademarks, registered designs, plant variety protection and geographical indication registries, and cases under the IPOS Hearings and Mediation Department.”
IPOS has also implemented the following changes to its operations:
- All e-appointments will be conducted via telephone calls and/or email, and all business and legal clinics will be conducted via teleconferencing.
- The office hours of IPOS and the following services are suspended until May 8, 2020: face-to-face consultations, receipt of facsimile and manual submissions, correspondences sent by IPOS via post, issuance of certified hard copies, certifying documents, and commissioning of oath services.
“Since IPOS’ e-filing services continue to operate, applicants are still able to proceed with IP registration matters as usual, even with the general extension in place,” says Abe Sun, local principal at the firm. “Applicants are encouraged to comply with the prescribed deadlines (where possible) to avoid inadvertently missing deadlines (especially in cases where priority dates are claimed) once IPOS’ relief measures are lifted.”
Johnny Chan
