Latest updates from CIPO

The recent modernization efforts of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) have helped in the long run, but have also brought many challenges to patent applicants in the short term. In July 2024, CIPO launched a new MyCIPO patent online portal to simplify the filing, tracking and management of patents. However, the launch of the new system was not smooth, resulting in a series of problems.

The Canadian Patent Database (CPD) was inaccessible for six weeks, CIPO did not issue any examination opinions during this period, and the new platform was extremely unstable. Although these initial problems have been gradually resolved, there are still a large number of unprocessed emails and fee payment backlogs that prevent patent status updates.

Currently, CIPO is still facing several major issues, such as: significant delays in authorization after payment of the final fee; delays in letter processing; delays in processing outgoing communications (such as submission receipts, extension confirmations, late payment fee notices, etc.); and a decrease in the number of examination opinions issued.

There are still many erroneous statuses in the status information in the Canadian patent database, for example, many applications are incorrectly marked as abandoned. These erroneous statuses need to be resolved through data correction.

CIPO recommends avoiding submitting status checks through the online feedback form so that staff can focus on addressing backlog issues. However, in some cases, applicants may choose to submit a status inquiry with confirmation of filing date or fee payment despite incorrect status information.

in conclusion

CIPO's modernization initiatives are affecting all aspects of patent applications, and current delays and issues have far-reaching implications for applicants. We recommend that you keep a close eye on the dynamics of submitted applications during this period and be prepared to address any challenges that may arise. If you need more help or professional guidance, please feel free to contact our team. We support you in complex situations and help you successfully navigate the changing IP environment.