European Union Related International Offices

Governments around the world have implemented a wide range of protocols to control the spread of COVID-19 throughout their jurisdictions. The various intellectual property offices have recognised this is an unprecedented situation that may have an impact on the ability of right holders, applicants, opponents and their representatives to meet deadlines associated with their intellectual property rights.

European Union Intellectual Property Office

●April 29　Source:euipo.europa.eu

The Executive Director of the EUIPO has today published Decision No EX-20-4, extending until 18 May 2020 all time limits expiring between 1 May 2020 and 17 May 2020, to further support and assist users during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the second extension of time limits with widespread application as a response to the exceptional circumstances caused by the pandemic. Decision No EX-20-3, published on 16 March, extended until 1 May 2020 all time limits expiring between 9 March 2020 and 30 April 2020.

In effect, all deadlines expiring between 9 March and 17 May are extended until 18 May.

The extension covers all procedural deadlines, irrespective of whether they have been set by the Office or are stipulated directly in the Regulations, and the effect is automatic.

●March 25　Source: infojustice.org

The EUIPO deals with the registration, renewal and challenges to the validity of EU IP rights, including the unitary EU trade mark. It has issued a Covid-19 announcement and published a decision concerning the extension of time limits.

The EPO has said that given the "exceptional occurrence" of the coronavirus outbreak, which has "disrupted proper communication" between parties worldwide and the EUIPO, "all time limits expiring between 9 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 inclusive that affect all parties in proceedings before the Office are extended until 1 May 2020". This means an extension of all time limits for all proceedings before the EUIPO including payment of fees, priority claims, opposition periods, opposition fees, renewals, appeals, conversion and deferment of publication in respect of Community designs.

Benelux Office for Intellectual Property

●April 16　Source: www.boip.int

The Dutch government announced stricter measures to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus. BOIP considers it the office's social duty to take responsibility and to limit the risks as much as possible. That is why the office, too, has opted for stricter measures:

●Employees work from home as much as possible.

●Premises are closed to visitors.

●Current deadlines are postponed.

Online services will of course remain available. However, it is possible that the time limits for opposition are not displayed correctly.

Because the office works remotely, it is less accessible by telephone. It asks to e-mail questions as much as possible to info@boip.int.

Do users have an urgent question? Please e-mail telephone number with the request to call back.

These measures apply at least until 28 April 2020.