Being an Intellectual Property (IP) attorney, I am paying close attention to how the pandemic of CoVID-19 is impacting the trademark and copyright arena.
Physical Access
Local governments and federal entities have restricted public access to means by which people apply for or extend deadlines for trademarks, patents, and copyrights. Many court buildings are closed while other government offices have limited staff present. In addition, potential applicants are avoiding public places due to exposure concerns.
The good news is that various IP deadlines have been extended and paper applications have been made available online, even in other parts of the globe. In some cases, extensions are being granted along with proof that the current crisis has rendered a person unable to meet application requirements.
Rules and Regulations
In other news, intellectual property concerns have surfaced in regards to fighting CoVID-19. Doctors and scientists pressured to find a cause and cure for the virus have been faced with an ethical dilemma– do they violate patent law in order to reproduce items like ventilators? On the other side, should doctors and scientists keep their data exclusive, or should they share findings with the public in hopes of a unified front?
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) shared their considerations on the matter, stating that it’s important for all parts of the globe to have access to affordable solutions to eradicate CoVID-19. WIPO asserted that Intellectual Property is a probable barrier to these solutions. Although IP regulation influences competition and creation in the free market, it recognized the need for flexibility in licensing arrangements.
In fact, on March 25, 2020, WIPO announced that the organization and many other philanthropic agencies were uploading millions of chemical formulas to the WIPO patent search engine, Patentscope. It’s encouraging to witness a world agency recognizing a need and collaborating with creators and researchers alike to lay down competition and cost in order to fight a global pandemic.
Until next time, I’m Francine D. Ward, keeping up with everything you need to know about CoVID-19 and Intellectual Property law.
If you’re ready to create or update your Estate Plan, schedule a consultation. If you’re still gathering information, feel free to join my Facebook community for ongoing guidance and support: Legal Insights Facebook Group.
Start here:
Estate Planning FAQs
Explore other core documents in a complete estate plan:
- Preparing for Estate Planning
- What Is a Trust
- What Is an Advance Healthcare Directive
- What Is a Durable Power of Attorney
- What Is a Will
Want to explore more topics?
View all Estate Planning articles
Connect with me:
🌐 Website |
📘 Facebook |
📸 Instagram |
💼 LinkedIn |
⭐ Yelp
fRANCINE d. wARD
- What is a DeedWhat is a Deed and Why is it Important A deed is a legally binding document and if you own real property, it is an essential part of an estate… Read more: What is a Deed
- What is Intestate Succession?What is Intestate Succession? When you die without a valid will, the law—not you—decides who gets your property. That process is called intestate succession. Many people assume their “closest” loved… Read more: What is Intestate Succession?
- What is Probate?What is Probate? Probate is one of those legal processes most people have heard of but hope they never have to deal with. Yet, for many families—especially in California—it becomes… Read more: What is Probate?
- What is an Agent for Healthcare and Finance?What is an Agent? Choosing the right agent—also known as an attorney‑in‑fact—is one of the most important decisions you will make in your estate planning process. An agent is the… Read more: What is an Agent for Healthcare and Finance?
- IncapacityIncapacity. What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Protect Yourself Before It Happens Incapacity is one of the most disruptive events a person can face; yet, it is… Read more: Incapacity