COVID

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has extended the Suspension Period due to COVID-19 through May 15 so that affected time limits ending on any of these designated days will now be extended until (link). CIPO also indicated that the Client Service Centre will resume its intellectual property document order service.

Updates

The Federal Court of Appeal has issued a further notice extending its suspension period until May 15, 2020 and adjourning all hearings during this period, although parties may consent to have their matters heard remotely or decided based only on the written material. I understand that the Federal Court is likely to extend its suspension period as well.

The Ontario Superior Court has issued a Notice re-opening hearings in certain cases beyond just ‘urgent’ matters using remote hearings and relaxing requirements for service by email and filing.

WIPO has announced that the PCT International Bureau has suspended the transmittal on paper of PCT documents and notifications and will only use electronic means.