IP Office allows electronic procedures

By E.C.V. & ASOCIADOS

On April 24, 2020, the Venezuelan Registry Office (SAPI) established the following decisions through an Official Notice:

a) Starting on April 27, 2020, and until the Government lifts the obligatory quarantine generated by the COVID-19, only the following procedures can be presented electronically: Applications for Registration of Distinctive Signs, Patent Applications, Assignments, Mergers, Name and Address Changes.

All essential documentation that must be filed at the time of the applications must also be presented in electronic format, complying with the formalities of law. Such documentation includes apostilles, certifications and authentications, with the commitment to present the originals documentation once the obligatory quarantine has been lifted.

b) All terms of the official bulletins that were valid on the date the obligatory quarantine was declared, remain suspended, and payments will only be accepted for Publication Orders in Press and Concessions that have been notified in said bulletins.

It is important to point out that in the Official Notice there is no mention to the presentation of documentation related to cases prior to the obligatory quarantine; therefore these should be presented only when it is lifted.

In E.C.V. & ASOCIADOS we are working with normality, preparing to present as soon as possible the cases entrusted by our clients. Our team is operational and available. You can contact us by e-mail and phone.