It would have been hard to predict back in March 2020 that all CIPO deadlines would be pushed forward 3 months until June 2020, but here we are.  CIPO has announced a further extension until June 15, 2020 of all deadline for IP matters that fall on or before June 12, 2020. 

These extensions are of course necessary due to the hardships caused by Covid-19, but they may also create hardships for IP owners. For example, CIPO's system recently inadvertently issued Registration Fee Notices which permitted applicants to register their marks even though the opposition period had technically not yet expired due to the deadline extensions. As a result, several alarmed prospective opponents had to contact CIPO to request the retraction of these registrations/registration fee notices so that the full opposition period would be preserved.

​Despite this additional extension of time, CIPO is encouraging applicants to proceed "business as usual" where possible with responses to Office Actions, the submission of evidence, and so forth. 

We will keep you updated of all further extension periods.  If you need information on how these extension period affect you IP, please contact us.

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CIPO has once again announced an extension of all deadlines on IP matters under the Patent Act, Trademarks Act and Industrial Design Act as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. All deadlines between March 16 and May 29, 2020 will now fall on Monday, June 1, 2020. Further extensions may be possible depending on the circumstances as the Office has indicated a willingness to consider the pandemic a sufficient reason to justify extensions of time. To view CIPO's announcement click here.

Please contact us if you need any assistance with your IP matters. 

By Alina Cartan

Armando Christian Pérez, better known as Pitbull, has successfully registered his distinct “EEEEEYOOOO” sound as a trademark before the USPTO.  This sound has featured prominently in Pitbull's pop songs since as early as 2002.

This sensory mark (U.S. Registration Number: 5877076) is described as a sound consisting of a man yelling "EEEEEEEYOOOOOO" in falsetto with "E" drawn out followed by a "U" sound.  

Non-traditional marks are registrable in Canada since June 2019. For more information regarding trademark registration, for both traditional and non-traditional marks such as sound marks, please contact us.

Listen to Scott Shayko of EnvisionSQ, featured as part of IPIC's "Own IT" campaign, discuss the value of protecting your IP rights.

There's no better time than now to #ownyourIP.  Please contact us for further information on IP protection.