All terms related to proceedings before the Trademark and Patent Office are suspended until March 31, 2020.
Thus, the terms related to responses to requests, filing of oppositions and defenses, requests for a patentability examination and filing of recourses are currently suspended.
If the term was granted in days, the days during the suspension will not be considered. If the term was granted in months and it expired during the suspension, the term will be understood to be extended until April 1, 2020.
Regarding renewals of registrations and payment of annuities for the maintenance of patents, if the deadline for the payment of these expired during the suspension, it will be considered extended until April 1, 2020.
In any case, the Office's online system will continue operational for filing any request during the term of suspension.
Thus, we suggest our clients to continue submitting their requests through the online system, as we anticipate a congestion in the days following the end of the suspension decision.
Regarding meetings with patent examiners, the Office confirms that they will continue to be conducted virtually.
Finally, the Office ensures that during the suspension of terms no decision that may cause a response obligation or any type of action by the interested parties, will be issued.