⏱ 1 min read
Background
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), based in Geneva, runs the Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks and the Hague System for industrial designs. Companies file their applications and carry out procedures there within set time limits. A global outage of Microsoft services began on 12 November 2026.
The key points
On 13 November 2026, WIPO announced that users of the Madrid and Hague Systems who miss a time limit because of the outage can request relief under Rule 5 of the regulations of both systems.
WIPO will treat requests citing the outage favourably, without requiring evidence. Relief remains subject to the conditions of Rule 5 and is not an automatic extension of all time limits.
The outage is disrupting some WIPO IT services. Emails relating to eMadrid and eHague transactions that rely on Microsoft may be delayed or temporarily unavailable.
What it means for businesses
- Trademark and design applicants : a time limit missed because of the outage can be covered by a request for relief.
- Users of Microsoft email services : WIPO notifications may reach them with a delay.
Further reading
Sources
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