The updates and notices by the CGPDTM are summarised as below-

• Public Notice dated May 18, 2020

IPO announced that the due dates with regard to deadlines prescribed under IP Acts and rules towards completion of various proceedings, filing of documents, and payment of fees falling due from 15-03-2020 to 17-05-2020, shall be 01-06-2020. However, this would not affect the applicants seeking extension of time/condonation of delay in respect of their applications.

• Public Notice dated May 4, 2020

All deadlines prescribed under IP Acts and rules towards completion of various proceedings, filing of documents, and payment of fees falling between 02-05-2020 and 17-05-2020, shall be extended to 18-05-2020.

• Public Notice dated April 15, 2020

All hearings scheduled upto 03-05-2020 shall stand adjourned and the fresh hearing dates shall be notified later. Also, all the IP offices shall remain closed for a period until May 3, 2020.

• Public Notice dated March 25, 2020

All IP offices shall remain closed for a period of 21 days w.e.f 25-03-2020, following the order of Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India which implemented a compulsory lockdown for a period of 21 days.

The question still remains on what basis the actual deadline will be calculated as the lockdown has not been lifted in several States in India. We are looking into the situation closely and shall keep you posted on further updates. Meanwhile, we are recommending our clients to provide us with instructions and required formalities at the earliest. We are trying to seamlessly and continuously provide service to clients and meet the filing requirements for pending matters that have deadlines, and also for new applications.