Ukraine - NEWS UPDATE Ukraine-Russia Crisis

In connection with the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and the international reaction concerning this crisis, we would like to inform our clients about the working mode of the Patent Offices, as well as of our branches of the EUROMARKPAT Group in the affected countries.

Ukraine:

The website of the Ukrainian Patent Office shows an official Statement of March 1, 2022 of the Director general, which declares that the Ukrainian Patent Office continues to work in normal operation mode. Specifically, the Statement says that the Patent Office “is carrying out the reception and processing of applications for intellectual property ensuring the availability of relevant information resources and state registers”.

In practice, however, due to the exceptional and dangerous circumstances in the city of Kiev, ‘work in normal operation mode’ is very difficult to implement. For more than two decades we have been operating our own EUROMARKPAT office in Kiev, staffed with local Patent Attorneys and employees. As the current situation in Kiev is dangerous and unpredictable, our Ukrainian colleagues are working from home. According to them, communication with the Patent Office in written form cannot be ensured as the Patent Office does not accept delivery of ordinary mail, and payment of official fees cannot be effected. However, as Martial Law was imposed by the President of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, it is to be taken for granted that any term which may have been missed due to the present situation can be reinstated once Martial Law is lifted and the situation has cooled down.

Up to now, correspondence between our Head office in Munich and our Ukrainian colleagues via phone and email is possible as usual, without problems. Courier shipments of original documents, such as e.g., originals of signed documents, IP Certificates and the like, however, are temporarily not available.

We are watching the situation in the Ukraine very carefully and will ensure that all terms which fall due during the present worrying period of uncertainty are met and will not be missed, and, should the need arise, will be reinstated.

Russia:

The national Russian Patent Office and the regional Eurasian Patent Office, which are both located in Moscow, are working as always and, at first glance, are not affected by the crisis.

Also, our Russian EUROMARKPAT office in Moscow continues to work in normal mode. While correspondence with our Russian colleagues via courier services is suffering from delays, correspondence via phone and email is working quickly and reliably, as usual, and we are able to offer our full range of IP services, including application/registration, defence of IP rights, as well as payment of official fees.

We will keep you updated and will inform you as soon as we become aware of changes in the current situation.