19. 3月 2020
Update regarding COVID-19 and operations at Kuhnen & Wacker
As we continue to monitor the current COVID-19 situation in Germany and globally, we would like to update you on Kuhnen & Wacker operation business.
At the present time, Kuhnen & Wacker is operating business as usual and we will continue to attend to client needs.
Moreover, we have respective contingency plans in place for any disruption that may occur in our firm.
At Kuhnen & Wacker, the health and safety of our staff and their families are our priority, so we have implemented additional measures to help reduce the spread of the virus.
In addition, should any of our staff be required to work remotely, we have a secure IT system in place to ensure business continuity.
Situation with the Patent Offices:
- The European patent office (EPO) announced that time limits expiring on or after March 15, 2020 are extended for all parties and their representatives to 17 April 2020. In accordance with Article 150(2) EPC this applies also for international applications under the PCT. The above period may be further extended by the publication of another notice if the dislocation extends beyond the aforementioned date.
For more information, please see here.
- The German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) informed recently that in response to the corona situation all time limits set by the Office are generally extendable by request. However, legally determined (statutory) time limits are, in principle, not extendable. However, a Restitution-in-Integrum (Reinstatement) could be requested which is then decided on a case-by-case basis.
For more information, please see here.
- The EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office responsible for managing the EU trade mark and the registered Community design) has taken a similar measure. The Executive Director of the EUIPO announced that they would be "extending all time limits expiring between 9 March and 30 April, that affect all parties before the Office to 1 May 2020".
For more information, please see here.