05/08/2020
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) has announced several temporary fee changes in relation to patents, supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), trade marks and registered designs. In an effort to support applicants and proprietors facing disruption due to COVID-19, the temporary fee changes waive or significantly reduce certain late payment fees, fees for obtaining extensions, and fees for reinstating or restoring lost rights.
The following temporary fee changes will apply between 30 July 2020 and 31 March 2021:
- fees for extensions of time will be zero;
- there will be no surcharge for payment of a patent application fee after the date of filing;
- fees to apply for reinstatement and restoration will be zero;
- for patents and designs, there will be no surcharge for payment of a renewal fee late;
- for trade marks, the surcharge for payment of a renewal fee late will be £1; and
- there will be no additional fee for late payment of SPC fees.
As we previously reported, the UK IPO declared a period of interrupted days between 24th March 2020 and 29th July 2020, in which deadlines for patents, SPCs, trade marks, and designs falling within this period were extended until 30th July 2020. Following the expiry of the period of interrupted days, deadlines are again required to be met, and fees paid to the UK IPO. However, the temporary fee changes introduced by the UK IPO should provide applicants and proprietors with further support where it is still difficult to meet deadlines, and pay fees.
If you would like to discuss the temporary fee changes at the UK IPO, or how to manage your intellectual property portfolio in view of any disruption caused by COVID-19, please get in touch.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
