Impact of COVID-19 on the Legal Industry

• Note: This post was last updated on May 25, 2020.

Park IP, a Welocalize company, is actively tracking the impact of COVID-19 on the legal industry around the world. Check back here regularly for updates on patent office closures, guidance on in-person vs. remote interviews or hearings, and court closures.

PATENT FILINGS DURING COVID-19

Work has been suspended at many local patent offices. Agents can still file electronically via the online system, where available. However, deadlines that fall within this time period are automatically extended until the first working day when the patent office resumes normal operations. We are monitoring local notifications and continue to provide updates here, as they become available. (Please verify all information with your local agent.)

Access these resources for additional information on the impact of COVID-19 on patent offices:

• USPTO: https://www.uspto.gov/coronavirus
• WIPO: https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/covid_19/covid_update.html
• EPO: https://www.epo.org/news-issues/covid-19.html

(NEW) Time to File

As attorney Susan Russel recently shared with IP Watchdog, now is an excellent time for trademark owners to file new applications. She points out that new applications for marks appear to be significantly reduced since the outbreak of COVID-19. “It also appears that many applications are reaching examination and proceeding toward registration in less than three months, which is less than half of the time mark owners are usually advised to expect from the USPTO,” she noted.

COURT ORDERS + UPDATES

United States Courts

Federal courts are coordinating with state and local health officials for local information on the impact of COVID-19. Some have issued orders relating to court business, operating status, and safety. Monitor the status of U.S. Federal and District Courts here.

EU Court Closures

Law360, a LexisNexis® company, has compiled—and continues to update—the status of court closures across the region. It includes an interactive graphic with information on how COVID-19 is impacting the National Courts.

China

Legal cases in China continue under their mobile platform. According to this statement issued by the People’s Republic of China, “The online work model has made the internet courts one of the few sectors that have not been impacted by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Based on the e-litigation platform, the whole process of litigation from case filing to ruling and meditation is conducted online.”

Additional country-specific and regional court closures are being monitored here.   

MANAGING REMOTE LEGAL TEAMS

The transition from in-person to remote staff and client interactions is something every industry is facing. With this new normal of business comes a fair amount of adjustments.

Access these resources and articles for information on how to keep legal ops running smoothly.

• “How to Manage your Law Firm Remotely During COVID-19,” National Law Review, March 23, 2020
• “Keeping Law Firms Going Amid Uncertain Times,” Legal Executive Institute, March 23, 2020
• “6 Ways Lawyers Should Adapt for Their Clients and Themselves During the COVID-19 Crisis,” Law.com, March 25, 2020

REMOTE INTERPRETING

Where in the past, Park IP has supplied hundreds of onsite interpreters for language services ranging from depositions to legal investigations, the demand has shifted to requests for remote interpreters. Our team has partnered with industry leaders to ensure all of our legal interpreters are up to speed on the different platforms and system requirements for our selected Remote Simultaneous Interpreting and Over-the-Phone/Video Remote Interpreting platforms, in over 200 languages.

How can Park IP & Legal help your team manage its language services needs in a remote environment? Contact us.