ARTICLES

Explore articles covering Patents, Trademarks, and Designs, including news, insights, and practical information. Use the topic tabs below to explore each area of intellectual property. All content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Canadian Patent Updates

On September 30th, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico reached an agreement in regards to the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).  The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will have the following influence on Intellectual Property: The term of protection for new innovative drug products containing a...

Canadian Industrial Design Updates

On June 28th the Canadian government published the new Industrial Design Regulations which are expected to come into force on November 5, 2018. These new regulations are to help modernize the industrial design process and bring it into agreement with the Hague Agreement. ~Friday, June 29, 2018~ • • • • • • • • • • The Canadian...

Knowledge Center: Virtual Agent

What is a Virtual In-House Corporate Patent or Trademark Agent?

A business corporation may not have the resources to hire in-house one or more corporate patent or trademark agents to meet their patent needs, but may still require the cost effective value that an in-house patent/trademark agent brings to a business' strategic plan.  In such instances a virtual in-house corporate...

Canadian Patent Updates

Canadian Patent Updates Monday, April 30, 2018 On April 26th, the Government of Canada released their Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy which aims to: increase IP awareness, namely among Canadian businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators and also amongst the indigenous community; provide tools to support Canadian businesses in learning about and acquiring IP; and,...

Canadian Trademark Updates

On April 26th, the Government of Canada released their Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy which aims to: increase IP awareness, namely among Canadian businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators and also amongst the indigenous community; provide tools to support Canadian businesses in learning about and acquiring IP; and, amend IP legislation to clarify...

Commentary – Amendments to Canadian Patent Act – Bill C-34

On December 16, 2014, Bill C-34 received Royal Assent.  This bill includes amendments to the Canadian Patent Act.  The purpose of many of the amendments to the Patent Act is to align Canadian patent law with the Patent Law Treaty (PLT) done at Geneva on June 1, 2000. Currently, new Regulations...

The Patent Bargain…Canada

In the  Supreme Court decision of Teva Canada Ltd. v. Pfizer Canada Inc. 2012 SCC 60 – Nov 8, 2012 -  (Decision varied by SCC in 2013 from pronouncement that patent is not valid to “Teva has established its allegation that Canadian Patent 2,163,446 is not valid) the validity issue...

Canadian Patent Litigation Costs

Costs play an important role for business when making decisions to file and prosecute patent applications through to the grant of patents.  These costs can run into the 10’s of thousands of dollars for protection in one or more countries.  But the cost of obtaining protection sometimes pales in comparison...

Canadian Patent Agent Exams 2012

The Canadian Patent Agent Exams are very challenging to pass in one or more sittings.  The Exams are written once a year, usually in April and comprise four, four hour exams, written in four consecutive days.  The first paper requires evaluation of an invention, prior art and the drafting of...

Ray’s Favorite Inventor

The First Inventor to Receive a Patent? Filippo Brunelleschi - 1377-1446 - trained as a goldsmith in Florence, is principally known for his eventual work as a structural engineer and architect. At the end of the 13th century a decision was made by the governing body of Florence to construct a...

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