CNIPA Provides Supplementary Information on Matters Related to Time Limits for Patents & IC Layout Designs During COVID-19 Outbreak 

On 21 February 2020, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced the following supplementary information concerning the supporting materials for the restoration of rights affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, further to its "Announcement on Matters Related to Time Limits for Patents, Trademarks, and Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits Affected by the Epidemic” ("Announcement No. 350") issued on 28 January 2020 and the replies to questions concerning restoration of rights for reasons related to COVID-19 on 3 February 2020: 

"Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic, first-level responses to major public health emergencies have been triggered in various localities, with the introduction of measures such as restrictions on public gatherings, shutting down business operations, and postponing the date for work resumption. To facilitate the affected parties' going through the formalities for restoration of rights, if during the implementation of a first-level response to major public health emergencies in the province, autonomous region, or municipality where the party is located, a time limit for matters in connection with patents or layout designs of integrated circuits is not observed for reasons related to the epidemic, thus resulting in loss of rights, no supporting materials will be required to submit where the party files the request for restoration of rights within the prescribed period."