The Trademark Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration ("CNIPA") has recently issued the Circular on the Handling of Trademark Applications during the Period of Epidemic Prevention and Control (the "Circular").

The Circular provides clarity in three aspects as below. First, it is recommended that relevant business be handled through the online service system for trademark affairs. 24 types of trademark applications, including trademark registration applications, alteration applications, renewal applications and assignment applications, could be handled through the aforesaid online service system, and the online payment function has already been launched. Applicants are advised to give preference to online submission of documents, online payment of fees, among other online business functions. Second, paper documents that could be submitted by post should be posted as far as possible. Documents may be submitted in this way to handle the opposition to a trademark, the review of a trademark, or other business. Third, applicants are advised to pay close attention to service notices released by local service windows if they choose to handle trademark applications at the nearest service window. They are also advised not to handle affairs at physical service windows in all regions as far as possible. In case it is truly necessary to handle affairs at local service windows for acceptance of trademark applications or in the service halls of the non-Beijing trademark examination cooperation centers, applicants are advised to follow instructions on the work notices released by local relevant institutions during the period of epidemic prevention and control.

(Source: China National Intellectual Property Administration)