Amendments to Canada’s Trademarks Act and Regulations took effect April 1, 2025. These changes are part of the Government of Canada’s Intellectual Property Strategy. They give the Registrar of Trademarks new powers and improve trademark procedures.

Main Changes at a Glance

Here are the key updates that took effect today:

• New authority to give public notice: The Registrar can now issue public notices under subsection 9(4) of the Act.
• More time to respond to objections: Applicants get more time to respond to paragraph 12(1)(e) objections when a subsection 9(4) request is involved.
• Cost awards: The Registrar can now award costs in opposition and Section 45 trademark cancelation proceedings.
• Confidentiality orders: Parties can now request confidentiality orders in proceedings.
• Case management: The Registrar can manage cases to improve efficiency and resolve disputes faster.

Updates from the Office of the Registrar

The new practice notice on public notices explains how to ask the Registrar to give public notice under subsection 9(4).

The updated practice notice on extensions of time outlines the extra time allowed when objections involve ongoing 9(4) requests.

A new presentation from the Trademarks and Industrial Designs Branch provides more details on the new 9(4) process.

For full details, visit the CIPO website.