On 17 January 2020, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (the “CIPO”) indicated that it will now be necessary for an Applicant to demonstrate exceptional circumstances (e.g. recent change in agent, an opposition proceeding, etc.) for the CIPO to grant an extension of time for responding to an outstanding Examiner’s Report for a pending Canadian trademark application. The CIPO’s new practice applies to Examiner’s Reports issued on or after 17 January 2020. The CIPO’s past practice was to generally grant at least one six-month extension of time.

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