CIPO is committed to providing service to its clients according to defined performance targets, and regularly measures whether or not these commitments are being met. Measuring performance and monitoring progress are important elements of planning. These processes allow us to assess what we have achieved over time and determine where there is room for the organization to improve.
2016-2017 Performance targets
Patents 2016-2017
| Service |
Commitment |
Expectation |
Result |
| Issue filing date |
within 3 weeks upon receipt of application that meets filing requirements including fees |
90% |
95% |
| Issue confirmation date of national entry for Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications |
within 4 weeks upon receipt of application that meets entry requirements including fees |
90% |
98% |
| Issue ownership registration or notification requesting additional information |
within 3 weeks upon receipt of request and fees |
90% |
96% |
| Provide a first action (allowance or first substantive examination by written report or telephone interview) – Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) |
within 3 months upon receipt of request complying with the requirements for accelerated examination under the PPH |
90% |
98% |
| Provide an international search report (ISR) and written opinion or a no search report and written opinion |
upon receipt of request: within the later of 3 months from receiving search copy or 9 months from the priority date |
90% |
96% |
| Provide an international preliminary report on patentability (IPRP) |
upon receipt of request: within the later of 6 months from receipt of a complete request or 28 months from the priority date |
90% |
98% |
| Provide first substantive office action to an application with a request for examination (by discipline) |
Biotechnology |
17 months |
90% |
98% |
| Electrical |
18 months |
90% |
99% |
| Mechanical |
16 months |
90% |
99% |
| Organic chemistry |
15 months |
90% |
92% |
| General chemistry |
18 months |
90% |
95% |
| Following receipt of a client response, provide a subsequent office action (by discipline) |
Biotechnology |
9 months |
90% |
92% |
| Electrical |
9 months |
90% |
98% |
| Mechanical |
5 months |
90% |
90% |
| Organic chemistry |
6 months |
90% |
98% |
| General chemistry |
6 months |
90% |
97% |
Patent Appeal Board 2016-2017
| Service |
Commitment |
Expectation |
Result |
| Issue decision |
within 24 months of referral to the Patent Appeal Board for decision |
80% |
84% |
Trademarks 2016-2017
| Service |
Commitment |
Expectation |
Result |
| Issue filing date |
electronic application |
within 7 business days upon receipt of electronic application that meets filing requirements including fees |
90% |
98% |
| paper application |
within 15 business days upon receipt of paper application that meets filing requirements including fees |
90% |
99% |
| Provide first action (approval or examiner's report) |
within 7 months from filing date |
90% |
79% |
| Respond to client correspondence received subsequent to a first action |
within 3 months upon receipt of correspondence |
90% |
94% |
| Register a trademark |
within 15 business days upon receipt of paper request and fees |
90% |
85% |
Trademarks Opposition Board 2016-2017
| Service |
Commitment |
Expectation |
Result |
| Schedule hearing date |
Opposition |
within 12 months upon receipt of request |
90% |
98% |
| Section 45 |
within 12 months upon receipt of request |
90% |
100% |
| Issue decision |
non-hearing decision |
Opposition |
within 12 months upon referral for a non-hearing decision |
90% |
96% |
| Section 45 |
within 12 months upon referral for a non-hearing decision |
90% |
100% |
| hearing date |
Opposition |
within 4 months following hearing date |
90% |
96% |
| Section 45 |
within 4 months following hearing date |
90% |
93% |
Industrial Designs 2016-2017
| Service |
Commitment |
Expectation |
Result |
| Issue filing date |
within 3 weeks upon receipt of application that meets filing requirements |
95% |
99% |
| Provide first action (allowance without a report or issuance of a 1st report) |
within 8 months from filing date and receipt of fees |
90% |
97% |
Copyright 2016-2017
| Service |
Commitment |
Expectation |
Result |
| Register a copyright |
electronic application |
within 5 business days upon receipt of electronic application that meets filing requirements including fees |
95% |
100% |
| paper application |
within 7 business days upon receipt of paper application that meets filing requirements including fees |
90% |
99% |
Information Branch – Client Service Centre 2016-2017
| Service |
Commitment |
Expectation |
Result |
| Respond to general enquiries |
By telephone |
Immediately or call will be returned within 1 business day |
95% |
97% |
| By mail, email or fax |
within 2 business days upon receipt by mail, email or fax |
95% |
98% |
| Provide access to an on-site information officer |
within 5 minutes upon receipt of request |
95% |
99% |
| Send CIPO publications |
by mail within 2 business days upon receipt of request |
95% |
97% |
| Send patent, trade-mark, copyright or industrial design documents |
Photocopies |
by mail or electronically (only patent documents are available electronically) within 3 business days upon receipt of request and fees for photocopies |
90% |
85% |
| Certified photocopies |
by mail within 3 business days upon receipt of request and fees for certified copies |
90% |
90% |
