Takeaway: If you have a trademark or patent with the EPO or EUIPO, deadlines are being extended due to COVID-19.

In light of the recent health crisis surrounding COVID-19, the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) have decided to extend deadlines for patent applications. The EPO extended all periods between March 15 and April 16, 2020 to April 17, 2020. This extension also applies to international patent applications. If the virus outbreak continues the period may also be extended further upon notification. The EUIPO has extended all deadlines expiring between March 9 and April 3, 2020 to May 1, 2020. This extension in light of the COVID-19 outbreak is to aid those with European Trademarks and Community Designs.

Image Credit: inventa.com/en/news/article/477/measures-by-euipo-and-epo-over-covid-19-spreads