The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has announced that the Trade-marks Opposition Board will be changing its practice, effective March 31, 2009, pursuant to the new Practice in Trade-mark Opposition Proceedings. Here’s a summary of the changes:

• The new practice will simplify the procedure and time-lines for granting extensions of time, and will clarify when extensions of time can be granted in exceptional circumstances.
• Parties will be encouraged to mediate and settle disputes early in the process, including through the use of a “cooling-off” period.
• A new practice is introduced for scheduling hearings.

Calgary – 14:30 MST