COVID-19 UK Intellectual Property Office Update Reduction of Fees to Assist Applicants

Summary

The UK IPO is waiving the requirement to pay fees for some specific acts during a period from 30^th July 2020 to 31^st March 2021. The so called ‘coronavirus amendment’ to the Rules was laid before Parliament on 29^th June 2020 and is intended to financially assist applicants struggling due to financial difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic.

The following fees are ‘reduced to nil’:

Patents

• The additional fee for paying renewal fees within the grace period
• The additional fee for paying the supplementary protection certificate fee in the grace period
• The fee for an extension of a time limit
• The fee for making a late declaration of priority
• The fee for reinstatement
• The fee for restoration

Trade Marks

• The additional fee for paying renewal fees within the grace period
• The fee for an extension of a time limit
• The fee to restore and renew a registration

Registered Designs

• The additional fee for paying a renewal fee within the grace period
• The fee to restore a registration

The statutory instrument bringing these changes into effect can be found here. Please contact us for more information.

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