COVID-19 ASEAN Update: Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam – 15 Apr 2020
Dear friends and colleagues,
We would like to provide you the following further update on the COVID-19 situation in ASEAN:
Indonesia: The state of emergency first declared by the governor of Jakarta on 20 March 2020 is currently into an extended period until 19 April 2020. The Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) is also continuing its suspension of all services (except online filing of new applications and renewals), as well as the postponement of all deadlines for submission of documents/responses, until 21 April 2020.
The Philippines: The government-declared enhanced community quarantine for Metro Manila which has been in effect since 15 March 2020, is currently into an extended period until 30 April 2020. The Intellectual Property Office of The Philippines (IPOPHL) is also continuing to run minimal office operations until at least 30 April 2020 (its online filing system will remain operational). You may wish to note the following updated temporary measures during this quarantine period as further announced by IPOPHL:
- Office action responses, declarations of use, renewals, motions for extensions, notices of opposition and answers thereto, cancellations, IP violations, position papers, and appeals falling due are automatically granted an extension of 60 calendar days from the due date
- All scheduled opposition and cancellation hearings are suspended until at least 30 April 2020
Vietnam: While Vietnam has reached the tail-end of a nationwide lockdown to help avoid a major COVID-19 outbreak in the country (subject to any further directives from the government), the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (IP Viet Nam) has, since 31 March 2020, implemented an extension of time to 30 May 2020 generally for deadlines falling due in the period between 30 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 in relation to official procedures for the establishment of IP rights, including those for priority claims, submissions, responses, renewals and filing of appeals.
Our business goes on for our clients
Our colleagues with whom you have been communicating will continue to look after your matters. They remain contactable for assistance by email.
Should you have any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our Directors, Mr. Soh Kar Liang() and Mr. Kevin Wong ().