The Temporarily Closure of the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) and the availability of service during the pandemic

In Brief
Due to high numbers of COVID-19 infection in Bangkok and other 12 provinces that mentioned in an Emergency Decree in relation to recent wide spread of COVID-19 cases around Thailand, the extreme measure of remote working from home or residences has implemented and started on 20th July 2021 until 3rd August (or further revised notice) in order to decrease the spread and infection by public affairs.
Recently, The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has issued Notification of Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) Re: Availability of Service undertaken by DIP during COVID-19 pandemic, dated 20th July 2021, to inform on adaptation of the extreme implementation of remote working from the distance; to decrease possibility of infection among peoples through the transportation away; to temporarily close physical receiving office; and to set temporary shifted-staff to proceed the advanced appointments. In this regard, DIP informed available channels during this period as follows:

Method	Details of Service
1. Online Channel	1. Electronic filing 2. Electronic payment of the official fee 3. E-certificate issuance (only patent and petty patent)
2. Postal Box	–

Extension of Patent Application
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has issued Notification of the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) Re: Extension of Document Submission and Additional Revision of Application for Patent and Petty Patent Filing during COVID-19 pandemic dated 12th July 2021 to prevent and decrease the infection risk of COVID-19 by public affair and to relieve the inconvenience of applicants. In this regard, DIP informed the extension period for patents and petty patents which deadlines have already met their due, as follows:

Matters	Details
1. Office Action of patents	Between 12 July 2021 and 31 August 2021 will be treated as ending on 31 August 2021.
2. Extension	Responses to these office actions can be filed from 1 to 30 September 2021.

Other Exception
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has also set measure to extend period and process for trademark renewal, revise application, submit additional documents, etc. specially for applicant by proceed under Notification of Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) Re: Extension of period and process along with the law and regulation that undertook by DIP during COVID-19 pandemic, dated 24th March 2020.

Matters	Details
1. Preparation of Form	Prepare application form for extension submission. The form can be accessed by the mentioned notification.
2. Evidences	Enclose evidences showing the effect you had from COVID-19, i.e., Hospital Admission Documentation, or Home Isolation Order by Hospital Documentation.
3. Submission of Place	File the application form for extension of the period to DIP or Provincial Commerce Office within 15 days as of the last day as date effected from COVID-19.
4. Further Action	File the application of various trademark matters within 30 days from the approval date by officers.