US PATENT FORUM

Following the Coronavirus outbreak which has now been reported in several countries around the world, we have prepared some questions and answers about our events and the outbreak:

 

1. Are your events being cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak?
 

The WHO has declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern. Despite the emergency declaration, with the exception of mainland China, the WHO is not recommending any restrictions on travel or trade at this time. On this basis, our events are still taking place as scheduled. We are closely monitoring the situation and will be updating this page as required.

 

2. I am concerned about travelling to the event, what should I do?
 

With the exception of mainland China, there have been no restrictions on travel or trade at this time. We advise you to visit the WHO or CDC guidance on how to reduce exposure to the virus and staying healthy while travelling. For further information and reassurance, we also advise you to view the official travel and health advisory websites for the countries that the events are being held, to learn about the specific measures in place in the country and in their ports for virus detection and containment of the virus:
 

UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

USA: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/index.html

Germany: https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/en/press/2020/coronavirus.html#c17182

France: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus (French)

Macau: https://www.ssm.gov.mo/apps1/PreventWuhanInfection/en.aspx#clg17047 (Traditional Chinese and English)

Singapore: https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19

Netherlands: https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-in-china

Switzerland: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov.html#903671355

Belgium: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/

Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Brazil: http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/coronavirus

 

3. What contingency plans are you putting in place for the event?
 

We are liaising with all of our venues in regards to hygiene policy. Hand sanitisers will be available around the venue but we also ask all delegates to maintain basic hygiene methods e.g. coughing into tissues or into crease of elbow, thorough handwashing, minimal handshaking, etc.

 

 

4.What if I'm travelling from an affected country?
 

At this time, we respectfully ask that delegates from the following areas do not register for or travel to the event until further notice: 

• Hubei province in China in the last 14 days, even if you do not have symptoms
• Since February 19 even if you do not have symptoms:
  • Iran
  • Italy - Lombardy: Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano; Veneto: Vo’ Euganeo
  • South Korea – Daegu and Cheongdo
• Other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild)
• Other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild)

 

 

5.If I don’t feel comfortable travelling at this time, will I be able to get a refund for my delegate pass?

As there is no change to the scheduling of our events at this time, unless the event is cancelled by MIP, if you request the cancellation of your delegate pass, normal cancellation terms would apply:
 

All cancellations by Participants must be received in writing at least 6 weeks before the first day of the Event ( February 14, 2020).We cannot accept verbal cancellations. If written cancellation is received in writing at least 6 weeks before the first day of the Event, we will refund Fees already paid (if any) less a 10% administration charge (or such other charge as shall be specified in the Content provided to Participants upon registration for the Event). If written cancellation is not received in writing at least 6 weeks before the first day of the Event, the Participant shall be liable for payment of the Fee in full, irrespective of any non-attendance at the Event (no refund shall be due on any Fees already paid and/or any unpaid Fee invoices shall remain due and payable in full)

 

Some of our events have a flexible cancellation policy – the terms of these events will be noted accordingly.
 

For more details on the cancellation policy, please refer to the Event Participants Terms and Conditions or contact us.