Japan
Governments around the world have implemented a wide range of protocols to control the spread of COVID-19 throughout their jurisdictions. The various intellectual property offices have recognised this is an unprecedented situation that may have an impact on the ability of right holders, applicants, opponents and their representatives to meet deadlines associated with their intellectual property rights.
●April 9 Source: www.jpo.go.jp
Due to the global spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), international mail items being sent from Japan to some countries have been suspended at the Japan Post from April 2nd, 2020. (Please note that depending on the individual circumstances, the acceptance of international mail may be additionally suspended in the future to countries whose mail items are currently being accepted.)
In this regard, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) announces that the international mail service suspension stated above has caused delays in its sending certified copies of DECISION TO REFUSE A TRADEMARK REGISTRATION and DECISION TO GRANT A TRADEMARK REGISTRATION for the following applications to countries where international mail items are currently being suspended at the Japan Post: international trademark applications under the Madrid Protocol.
Going forward, the JPO will announce its state of sending the copies again when the acceptance of international mail is resumed.
Japan Patent Office
●Web.: www.jpo.go.jp
●Tel.: (0081) 3 3581 1101
●Fax.: (0081) 3 3581 0762
●Email: PA0842@jpo.go.jp
Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan
●Web.: www.bunka.go.jp
●Tel.: (0081) 3 5253 4111
●Fax.: (0081) 3 6734 3813
●Email: ch-houki@bunka.go.jp