Guidance for users impacted by July 19, 2024 computer outage

July 19, 2024

1) In the view of the International Bureau of WIPO, the Common Regulations under the 1999 Act and the 1960 Act of the Hague Agreement (Common Regulations) provide, in Rule 5, for measures applicable to the current circumstance of the global computer outage that began on July 19, 2024. Parties who were not able to meet a time limit specified in the Common Regulations to perform an action before the International Bureau because of the outage may request excuse of the delay on this basis.

2) Rule 5(1) of the Common Regulations provides for excuse of delay in meeting time limits (which may relate to the submission of documents and/or the payment of fees), due to reasons of force majeure including “... electronic communication services owing to circumstances beyond the control of the interested party....” 

3) The International Bureau of WIPO will treat favorably any request made under Rule 5(1) of the Common Regulations citing the outage that began on July 19, 2024 and, in accordance with Rule 5(2) of the Common Regulations, will waive the submission of evidence.