KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Click on the Subject Matter bullet links below to access our Knowledge Library of Patents, Trademarks and Designs. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be used as legal advice.
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Divisional Patent Applications in Canada: What Inventors Need to Know
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 Canada’s examination system. What Is [...]
What Makes a Trademark Strong? A Practical Guide for Canadian Entrepreneurs
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 key features of a [...]
Frequently Asked Patent Questions and Answers
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 disclosing the details […]
Pros and Cons For Filing a US Provisional Patent Application
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 less information and have fewer […]
Excess Claims Fees and Requests for Continued Prosecution Coming into Force October 3, 2022
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 changes come into force […]
Frequently Asked Trademark Questions & Answers
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 one person (company) […]
Canadian Industrial Designs Update: Alignment with the Hague System
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 changes to note are the […]
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 agent can be contracted to […]