Considering the increasing number of transmission of Coronavirus in certain areas, the Government of India has once again extended lockdown for two weeks. The lockdown 3.0 is effective from May 4, 2020 to May 17, 2020. To initiate limited economic activities, the government has decided to provide limited relaxation under lockdown 3.0. The scope of relaxation is based on the rate of transmission of Coronavirus in any particular area. The Government has categorised the areas into Red, Orange and Green zones.
Since all the districts of Delhi are in Red zone, the High Court of Delhi has decided to suspend the functioning of all courts in Delhi during lockdown 3.0, till May 17, 2020 (http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/Upload/PublicNotices/PublicNotice_3ILQVZ6KX1I.PDF).
As such, hearings in all the pending matters before the Courts in Delhi including the High Court and District Courts have been en bloc adjourned to the dates in the month of June and July, 2020.
The Courts however will continue to hear urgent cases through video conferencing as per the procedures laid down by the respective courts. As per the resolution of the Administrative and General Supervision Committee of High Court of Delhi, the Courts in Delhi have already heard more than 11,000 cases through video conferencing since the lockdown started from March 25, 2020.
The IP Offices in India are also partially functional (with reduced strength) since April 20, 2020. However as all the offices are located in Red Zones, therefore to avoid congestion and public dealings, the Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Geographical Indications (CGPDTM) has on May 4, 2020 issued notice to extend the deadlines for taking any actions under Indian IP laws to May 18, 2020. This extension is applicable to filing of reply/document, payment of fees, etc. in any IP applications filed with the Indian IP offices. The electronic filing platform of IP Offices is however fully functional and since April 20, 2020 we have been receiving examination reports, registration and renewal certificates, publications and other communications from the Indian IP Offices.
http://www.ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/News/681_1_Public_Notice_dated_4-5-2020.pdf
We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you informed on all the developments. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please feel free to let us know.