Performance targets represent the level of performance that clients can expect when requesting a service from CIPO. They demonstrate CIPO's commitment to service excellence and accountability by making our performance transparent. Targets represent an estimate of expected performance.
Performance targets are distinct from CIPO's client service standards, which have been set in compliance with the Service Fees Act and are limited to CIPO services for which a fee is charged to the client.
This page contains CIPO's performance targets for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, which covers the period from to
Sending of a first office action for application with a request for examination
Within 17 months of request
90%
Following receipt of a client response, sending of a subsequent office action
Biotechnology
16 months
90%
Electrical
16 months
90%
Mechanical
13 months
90%
Organic chemistry
13 months
90%
General chemistry
13 months
90%
Quality of examiner's reports
Claims are correctly identified with respect to anticipation and obviousness
95%
Quality of applications proceeding to allowance
Claims proceeding to allowance are novel and unobvious.
95%
Availability of Patent E-Services
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year
90%
Patent Appeal Board 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Sending of a Commissioner's decision
Within 31 months upon receipt of a referral to Patent Appeal Board of a rejected application
80%
Trademarks 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Issuing of a filing date
Electronic application
Within 5 business days upon receipt of electronic application that meets filing requirements including fees
95%
Paper application
Within 8 weeks upon receipt of paper application that meets filing requirements including fees
90%
Sending of a first office action (approval or examiner's report) – Protocol applications
Within 14 months from the date of notification of territorial extension
90%
Sending of a first office action (approval or examiner's report) – national applications filed using the pre-approved list of goods and services
Within 14 months from filing date
90%
Sending of a first office action (approval or examiner's report) – national applications filed without using the pre-approved list of goods and services
Within 14 months from filing date
90%
Responding to client
Within 3 months upon receipt of correspondence
90%
Registering a trademark
Electronic request
Within 5 business days upon receipt of electronic request and fees
95%
Paper request
Within 8 weeks upon receipt of paper request and fees
90%
Availability of Trademark E-Services
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year
90%
Trademarks Opposition Board 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Scheduling of a hearing for opposition
Within 12 months of receipt of a client request
90%
Scheduling of a hearing for Section 45 proceedings
Within 12 months of receipt of a client request
90%
Sending of a decision following a hearing for opposition
Within 5 months of the hearing
90%
Sending of a decision following a hearing for Section 45 proceedings
Within 5 months of the hearing
90%
Sending of a decision in non-hearing cases for opposition
Within 12 months after the expiry of the deadline to request a hearing
90%
Sending of a decision in non-hearing cases for Section 45 proceedings
Within 12 months after the expiry of the deadline to request a hearing
90%
Industrial Designs 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Issuing of a filing date for an industrial design application
Electronic applications
Within 5 business days upon receipt of electronic application that meets filing requirements
95%
Paper applications
Within 8 weeks upon receipt of paper application that meets filing requirements
90%
Sending a first office action (allowance without a report or issuance of a 1st report) – Hague applications
Within 11 months from the date of publication
90%
Sending a first office action (allowance without a report or issuance of a 1st report) – Domestic applications
Within 11 months from filing date
90%
Recording or registering of a transfer
Within 1 month upon receipt of a request that meets the requirements
90%
Availability of Industrial Designs E-Services
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year
90%
Copyright 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Registering a copyright
Electronic applications
Within 1 business day upon receipt of electronic application that meets filing requirements
90%
Paper applications
Within 1 month upon receipt of paper application that meets filing requirements
90%
Availability of Copyright E-Services
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year
90%
Integrated Circuit Topography 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Sending a certificate of registration
Within 5 weeks upon receipt of request that meets filing requirements
90%
Client Service Centre 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Answering phone calls for general enquiries
Within 9 minutes upon receipt of enquiry in phone queue
90%
Responding to general enquiries by voicemail
Within 1 business day upon receipt of enquiry in voicemail queue
90%
Responding to general enquiries by mail, email or fax
Within 2 business days upon receipt of enquiry
90%
Sending publications, copies, or certified copies of patent, trademark, copyright or industrial design documents
Within 7 business days upon receipt of request and fees for copies or certified copies
90%
Intellectual Property Data 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Canadian Trademarks Database
Updated every Wednesday when the office is open
90%
Canadian Patents Database
Updated every business day
90%
Canadian Patents Database – Access to newly published applications filed directly with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Updated within one (1) week of the Open to Public Inspection date
90%
Canadian Industrial Designs Database
Updated every Thursday when the office is open
90%
Canadian Copyrights Database
Updated every business day
90%
IP Horizons Data Portal – Access to latest available information
Updated within 4 business days of production date.
95%
IP Horizons Data Portal - Resolving general client enquiries by email
Within 5 business days upon receipt of enquiry
80%
Intellectual Property Awareness and Education Services - 2026-2027
Service
Performance target
Expectation
Responding to IP Bank of Speaker requests by email
