New Extension of the BPTO’s Deadlines Suspension

The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (“BPTO”) has extended the suspension of its deadlines until May 31, 2020, by Ordinance No. 179/2020. The deadlines had already been suspended previously through Ordinance No. 166/2020, until May 15, 2020. Such measure was taken as a way of challenging the COVID-19 outbreak. The BPTO's servers and collaborators also had their home office extended for such period.

The ordinance will be in force from May 15, 2020, and it applies to every process and suspends all ongoing deadlines, which shall be counted again from the end of the suspension period, according to its remaining time. Likewise, the deadlines, which would begin during this period, shall be counted only after its end. The users may decide whether they will use the deadlines suspension or not, since it is possible and advisable to anticipate the filing of briefs through the BPTO’s online systems to avoid difficulties or interruption of connection to the BPTO's website.

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