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
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 Footnotes Footnote 1 Performance was affected by resource pressures related to the implementation of the Patent Law Treaty.
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Footnote 2 Performance was affected by a high inventory level.
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Footnote 3 Performance was affected by legislative changes related to the implementation of three international IP treaties, which came into effect in June 2019; as well as delays in two IT automation initiatives involving formalities and renewals.
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Footnote 4 Manual actions required to monitor this standard may have been overlooked, resulting in a lower than expected result.
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