As we previously advised, most deadlines in the period
beginning March 16 and ending April 30, 2020, were extended to the
next working day.
On April 27, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) extended this period until May 19, 2020.
Interestingly, on April 24 CIPO provided its current operational
status in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the deadline
extension in a viewable presentation.
While CIPO remains open, there are many restrictions on activities
conducted in person. Regional offices remain closed. However mail
may be dropped off at offices in Gatineau and Ottawa.
The CIPO presentation also included a number of frequently asked
questions (FAQs).
One interesting FAQ relates to electronic signatures. CIPO will
follow the guidelines provided under section 3.3 of Annex F of the
PCT Administrative Instructions.
CIPO will accept the following types of signatures:
- facsimile signatures;
- text string signatures (also known as S signatures (e.g., /JohnDoe/);
- click wrap signatures; and
- secure electronic signatures (i.e., PKI).
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