On February 6, 2020, the CNIPA published answers to questions about trademark time limits affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The guidance covers corrections and supplements to trademark applications, responses to examination opinions, fee payments, evidence of use and negotiation responses for same-day applications, evidence in three-year non-use cancellation proceedings, opposition filings and responses, supplementary evidence, reviews of refusals and invalidations, and responses and supplementary evidence in invalidation proceedings. Where the outbreak prevents a party from completing these steps within a statutory or specified period, the period is suspended from the date of hospitalization or isolation, or from the date local epidemic-control measures prevent normal handling of trademark matters. Suspension ends when the party leaves hospital or isolation, or when local work resumes and the relevant restrictions end.
When completing the affected trademark procedure, the party must submit a written request for suspension. It should state the party’s location during the outbreak, the impediment to exercising its rights and the date that impediment ended, with supporting evidence. Except for government notices postponing the resumption of work, that evidence should identify the period of illness and treatment, isolation or restrictions. For multiple requests based on the same reason, a single copy of the evidence may be submitted with one case, while the other requests identify that case’s application number.
A party that misses the extended trademark renewal period because of the outbreak, resulting in loss of the trademark right, may request an extension within two months after the impediment ends, with supporting evidence.
Source: http://www.sipo.gov.cn/zcfg/zcjd/1145836.htm