(See here for the latest update)
IP Australia (the Australian Patent and Trade Marks Office) has not yet announced any measures specific to COVID-19.
Fortunately, most* Australian patent and trade mark deadlines can be extended if they are missed, or cannot be met, “because of:
a) an error or omission by the person concerned or by his or her agent or attorney;
or
b) circumstances beyond the control of the person concerned…”.
Official extension fees of A$100 (about US$62) per month are payable. A request for extension should be filed promptly once the failure (or inability) to meet the deadline is recognised.
Securing an extension typically requires a “full and frank” declaration evidencing an intention to meet the deadline and a causal connection between an error, omission or circumstance resulting in the failure (or inability) to meet the deadline. Traditionally, a shortage of funds has not been enough to secure an extension.
Whilst measures specific to COVID-19 are yet to be announced:
- no doubt an extension could be secured if, for example a deadline was missed because relevant people were suddenly hospitalised; and
- we would also expect to secure an extension if a deadline was missed due to a miscommunication related to an urgent shift to employees working from home; although
- we would be surprised if an extension could be secured for reasons that essentially boiled down to a lack of business confidence.
Similar provisions apply in New Zealand.
* More onerous provisions apply in the context of opposition proceedings.
