If you're filing a patent application in Canada and your invention includes more than one innovative idea, you may need to split your application. This is where divisional patent applications come in. In this guide, we explain what divisionals are, why they matter, and how to use them wisely—especially under...
If you're building a brand in Canada, choosing the right trademark is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. A strong trademark doesn’t just help customers remember you—it protects your business legally and gives you the exclusive rights to grow with confidence. In this guide, we’ll walk you through five...
The following are frequently asked patent questions and answers. These questions and answers are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute legal patent advice. What is a patent? A patent is a legal monopoly granted by the government to inventors for a certain period of time, in exchange for publicly...
What Is a Patent Search? A patent search means looking for existing patents that might affect your invention. This includes: Patents and applications in official databases (like the U.S. Patent Office or European Patent Office) Two Common Types of Searches Novelty Search (Patentability Search): Checks if your invention is new and non‑obvious—two key requirements for getting a...
Pros for filing US provisional patent application: Low cost: Provisional patent applications are generally less expensive to prepare and file than non-provisional patent applications. Quicker filing: If time is a factor to file a patent application, Provisional patent applications can be filed faster than non-provisional patent applications, as they require...
Amendments to the Canadian Patent Rules to Introduce Excess Claim Fees and Request for Continued Examination (RCEs) Coming into Force October 3, 2022 Amendments to the Canadian Patent Rules were registered on June 2, 2022. Amendments relating to sequence listings come into force on July 1, 2022 while all other rule...
The following are frequently asked trademark questions and answers. These questions and answers are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute legal trademark advice. What is a trademark? A trademark is a symbol, word, scent, sound or phrase that is used to identify and distinguish the goods or services of...
As of today, November 5, 2018, the changes the Industrial Design Act and Rules have come into force bringing the Industrial Design Act and Rules into alignment with the Hague System. The Hague System enables design patents to be filed and managed in multiple countries via one application. Some key...
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...
