On 22 March 2020 the Papua New Guinea government declared a state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19. Effective as of 24 March 2020, the Intellectual Property Office of Papua New Guinea will be physically shut for an initial period of 14 days. However, the Office will remain open in a digital capacity, albeit at reduced staff numbers. During this time, the Office will not issue physical notices, and will not accept any physical lodgement of applications and documents. Further, the Office will not participate in consultations or workshops during this shutdown or conduct face-to-face meetings.
During this initial physical shutdown period, all correspondence between Agent’s and the Office will be done so electronically, through email. The Office will still be receiving physical paper copies of patent, trade mark and design applications, along with originally signed or certified documents. Further, any notices issued by the Office will be done so by email. During this period we will continue to prosecute and file applications on behalf of our clients and will be able to provide you with any advice regarding intellectual property in Papua New Guinea.
Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick is authorised to act as legal representatives on behalf of our clients in Papua New Guinea. We regularly file and prosecute Intellectual Property cases in Papua New Guinea on behalf of our clients, and will continue to do so during this time of uncertainty.