June 8, 2020

Due to the unprecedented disruption and to support rights holders, businesses and IP professionals at this time, the IPO declared 24 March 2020, and subsequent days until further notice, “interrupted days”. This means that any deadlines for trade marks, including applications, which fall on an interrupted day will be extended until the IPO notifies the end of the interrupted days period. The IPO will provide a minimum of two weeks’ notice before ending the interrupted days period.

The IPO reviewed the situation on 29 May 2020 and due to continuation of the current government restrictions to combat the Coronavirus outbreak and disruption to customers’ normal operating, the IPO has decided to continue with the period of interruption until 22 June 2020 when the situation will be reviewed again. The IPO says that it will give customers advance notice (at least two weeks) to plan prior to the end of interrupted days.

The IPO encourages everyone to continue to work to existing deadlines if possible. Interrupted days have been introduced as a safety net where the normal course of business is not possible. To read the update on the IPO’s website, click here.