The theme of the 2020 World Intellectual Property Day is "Innovate for a Green Future." In these trying times, we are doing our best at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) to continue to support our clients' innovation efforts and business objectives so that we can all look forward to a better future. We are open for business and continuing to process applications and grant intellectual property (IP) rights to the best of our ability, with much of our staff working virtually. We have suspended deadlines and fee payments for our clients until . Nevertheless, our clients should expect delays in CIPO services.
To recognize World IP Day and its green innovation theme, we have prepared a webinar on clean technology and IP and posted it on our YouTube account, and we have created a web page highlighting specialized resources for this important sector.
I would like to thank our stakeholders in the IP agent community and across the IP ecosystem for their cooperation as we all navigate this unprecedented situation. We will continue to work with you to ensure flexibility and understanding wherever possible as you deal with disruptions in your own work.
I would also like to recognize the World Intellectual Property Organization, as well as the other international IP offices with which we are working closely to protect IP rights during this difficult period. IP is a global business, and we are doing our part to ensure CIPO serves its customers around the world well.
Happy World IP Day, and stay safe.
Johanne Bélisle
Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trademarks and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Intellectual Property Office