Performance Targets 2019-2020

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. We aim to meet our performance targets 80% to 95% of the time, depending on the service.

Performance targets are distinct from CIPO's 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.

List of performance targets

The following tables present the performance targets for CIPO services.

Patents 2019-2020
Service Performance target Expectation Result
Issuing of a filing certificate or an acknowledgement letter of national entry date Within 15 business days upon receipt of an application that meets filing or entry requirements 90% 65% Footnote 1
Issuing of a registration certificate Within 15 business days upon receipt of a request that meets assignment registration requirements 90% 83% Footnote 1
Issuing of an acknowledgement letter of a request for examination made after filing Within 15 business days upon receipt of a request for examination 90% 97%
Sending of a first office action for application with a request for examination Within 14 months 90% 97%
Following receipt of a client response, sending of a subsequent office action Biotechnology 9 months 90% 98%
Electrical 8 months 90% 98%
Mechanical 5 months 90% 97%
Organic chemistry 5 months 90% 99%
General chemistry 5 months 90% 95%
Sending of an office action for expedited examination Within 3 months upon receipt of request and compliance with the requirements 90% 99%
Granting of a patent Within 8 weeks upon submission of payment of final fee 90% 70% Footnote 1
Patent Appeal Board 2019-2020
Service Performance target Expectation Result
Sending of a Commissioner's decision Within 29 months upon receipt of a referral to Patent Appeal Board of a rejected application 80% 41% Footnote 2
Trademarks 2019-2020
Service Performance target Expectation Result
Issuing of a filing date for electronic application within 5 business days upon receipt of electronic application that meets filing requirements including fees 90% 54% Footnote 3
for paper application within 10 business days upon receipt of paper application that meets filing requirements including fees 90% 17% Footnote 3
Sending of a first office action (approval or examiner's report) within 17 months from filing date 90% 43% Footnote 3
Responding to client within 3 months upon receipt of correspondence 90% 75% Footnote 3
Registering a trademark for electronic application within 5 business days upon receipt of electronic request and fees 90% 100%
for paper application within 15 business days upon receipt of paper request and fees 90% 60% Footnote 3
Trademarks Opposition Board 2019-2020
Service Performance target Expectation Result
Scheduling of a hearing for opposition Within 24 months of receipt of a client request 90% 97%
Scheduling of a hearing for Section 45 proceedings Within 24 months of receipt of a request 90% 91%
Issuing of a decision following a hearing for opposition Within 4 months of the hearing 90% 98%
Issuing of a decision following a hearing for Section 45 proceedings Within 4 months of the hearing 90% 90%
Issuing of a decision in non-hearing cases for opposition Within 18 months after the expiry of the deadline to request a hearing 90% 100%
Issuing of a decision in non-hearing cases for Section 45 proceedings Within 14 months after the expiry of the deadline to request a hearing 90% 96%
Industrial Designs 2019-2020
Service Performance target Expectation Result
Issuing filing date for an industrial design application Within 12 business days upon receipt of application that meets filing requirements 90% 92%
Providing first action (allowance without a report or issuance of a 1st report) Within 13 months from filing date 90% 100%
Recording of an assignment Within 12 business days upon receipt of a request that meets the requirements 90% 86%
Copyright 2019-2020
Service Performance target Expectation Result
Registering a copyright electronic application within 2 business days upon receipt of electronic application that meets filing requirements 90% 92%
paper application within 5 business days upon receipt of paper application that meets filing requirements 90% 95%
Client Service Centre 2019-2020
Service Performance target Expectation Result
Responding to general enquiries by telephone Immediately or call will be returned within 1 business day 95% 99%
Responding to general enquiries by mail, email or fax Within 2 business days upon receipt 95% 98%
Providing access to an information officer on-site in the Client Service Centre Within 5 minutes upon receipt of request 95% 79% Footnote 4
Sending publications, copies, or certified copies of patent, trademark, copyright or industrial design documents Within 3 business days upon receipt of request and fees for copies or certified copies 90% 89%

Performance targets

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