Patent Office to Hold Remote Meetings ‘Until Further Notice’ (1)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said that all in-person meetings will be conducted remotely “until further notice.”

Affected events include trials on the validity of patents or discussions between applicants and examiners. Meetings and hearings will be done either through telephone calls or video conferences, the agency said Friday.

The patent office’s announcement comes as government agencies and courts overseeing patent disputes brace for disruption due to the potential spread of Covid-19. The patent office’s statement didn’t mention the new coronavirus, but governments around the world are curbing activities to try to limit the spread of the virus.

The ...