WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS170/5
15 August 2000
(00-3315)
Original:  English
CANADA – TERM OF PATENT PROTECTION
Communication from the Appellate Body
The following communication, dated 15 August 2000, from the Chairman of the Appellate
Body addressed to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance withArticle 17.5 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes .
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I am writing to you pursuant to Article 17.5 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures
Governing the Settlement of Disputes , which stipulates that, as a general rule, the Appellate Body will
circulate its report no later than 60 days after the appellant has formally notified the Dispute
Settlement Body of its decision to appeal.  Article 17.5 states, furthermore, that when the
Appellate Body considers that it cannot provide its report within 60 days, it shall inform the DSB inwriting of the reasons for the delay together with an  estimate of the period within which it will submit
its report.
Canada notified the Dispute Settlement Body of its decision to appeal certain issues of law
covered in the Panel Report and legal interpretations developed by the Panel in this case on
19 June 2000 with the result that the 60-day period will expire on Friday, 18 August 2000.  Due to the
time required for completion and translation of the Report, the Appellate Body will not be able to
circulate its Report by Friday, 18 August 2000.  We estimate that the Appellate Body Report in this
appeal will be circulated to WTO Members no later than Monday, 18 September 2000.
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