In connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, Mikhailyuk, Sorokolat and Partners offices as well as regional and national IP offices are taking measures to adapt to the situation.

Our departments are working from home or offices without interruption, depending on the country situation. Information about the IP offices work is given below.

IP offices of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan operate as usual.

Since March 18, 2020, submission of documents with the Intellectual Property Agency of the Azerbaijan Republic is possible exclusively via e-mail.

The Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Armenia encourages applicants to submit documents through an electronic service or via email. The Office continues to accept documents on paper, but asks to limit filings to urgent matters only.

Since March 25, 2020, the National Center for Intellectual Property of the Republic of Belarus has limited visits. Consultations on questions of interest may be obtained by phone. All the documents must be sent to the IP office by post only.

Georgian National Intellectual Property Center - Sakpatenti switched to work remotely. Electronic filing services and advice by phone or via e-mail are available.

From March 16 to May 11, 2020, personal appointments with applicants are suspended; while consultations may be obtained by phone or online. Also, the department is switching to electronic document management.

State Agency of Intellectual Property under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has moved to remote work. Only electronic applications are available.

In connection with the decision of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to declare quarantine from March 16 to May 11, 2020, the State Patent Office is switched to work remotely. Filing applications and receiving a consultation are available through the electronic service and via e-mail.

From March 17 to May 15, 2020, a state of emergency was introduced in the Republic of Moldova. In this regard, the State Agency on Intellectual Property is working distantly. All consultations are provided by phone.

The deadlines for submitting additional materials on applications, answers to examination requests, as well as sending notifications to the applicant prepared by the IP office specialists that expire during this period are postponed to the next working day.

Moreover, in accordance with the Decision of the Commission for Exceptional Situations of the Republic of Moldova no. 17 of April 13, 2020 the non-working days are declared from April 21 to April 30, 2020. Thus all the IP office activity is suspended.

Rospatent and FIPS continue to operate as usual, but from March 16 to May 8, 2020, a number of processes are transferred to the remote format. Moreover, in connection with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 206 "On the announcement of non-working days in the Russian Federation" dated March 25, 2020, the work of the IP office is suspended for the period from March 30 to May 11.

Applications may be submitted through the electronic services or via e-mail, moreover, in this case the applicant will receive a 30% discount on the official fees payment. Dispute meetings considering by the Patent Disputes Chamber have been switched to videoconferencing.

During the non-working days from March 30 to May 11, applications processing and consideration of correspondence are suspended. The deadlines for submitting additional materials on applications, answers to examination requests, as well as sending notifications to the applicant prepared by FIPS specialists that expire during this period are postponed to the next working day.

From March 18, 2020, filing applications and documents with the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan is possible exclusively via e-mail.

Until May 11, 2020 Ukrpatent will accept applications and documents through the electronic systems or via e-mail. Personal issuance of documents, holding public events, consideration of applications or complaints with the personal presence of individuals will be suspended.

From March 20 to April 15, 2020, access to the EAPO premises will be temporarily denied for visitors. Submission of documents or Eurasian applications may be carried out using the EAPO-online system. Receipt of documents sent by post is carried out as usual.

We also inform you that in connection with the announcement of a non-working days on the territory of the Russian Federation, all procedural actions for Eurasian applications and patents expiring within the period from March 28 to May 11 will be postponed to the next working day.

We will continue to follow the situation and keep you informed of any significant changes. Thanks to our years of experience of working with clients online, we will be pleased to assist you in respect of the IP registration and protection in the former Soviet Union countries.

If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact our specialists.