This article provides an update on the current delays facing patentees in receiving filing receipts and application numbers for patent applications filed in Canada in recent months.
As you may be aware, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has undertaken a major project to modernize its patent electronic filing system. As part of this project, CIPO’s legacy system was decommissioned in June 2024, and the new patent filing system was launched in stages from September to October 2024.
During the period in which CIPO’s systems were offline or not fully operational, it was necessary for many new patent applications and national phase entries to be filed using the “general correspondence” procedure — a submission method that requires manual processing by CIPO. This resulted in service disruptions and delays in the handling of patent applications.
Due to these service disruptions, CIPO has accumulated a substantial backlog of applications and other correspondence that requires manual processing. The current service target for issuing filing receipts or application numbers for these filings is up to 18 weeks, though we anticipate even longer delays. CIPO has been prioritizing applicant requests that require urgent handling, as requested.
We are monitoring the situation closely and are notifying applicants immediately once we receive the application numbers and filing receipts from CIPO. Additionally, if an applicant requires an application number on an urgent basis, e.g., to facilitate third-party annuity fee payments, we can request priority handling from CIPO.
If you have any questions or concerns about a pending patent application, please reach out to a member of our Patent team in Canada.