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Patent

Patent FAQ

. . . Patents are a type of intellectual property protection that applies to new inventions and innovations, and are essentially a legal safeguard of proprietorship of the invention. They are essentially a reward and incentive for ingenuity.

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How American Businesses Can Save Money on Patents

Businesses are somewhat hesitant to undertake the expense of protecting their patentable intellectual property despite its value as, securing a United States patent, from start to finish, can cost thousands of dollars.

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10 Ways to Fund Patenting Costs

The value of intellectual property in today’s economy cannot be overstated but is often overlooked. In 2008, intellectual property composed 31.2% of all intangible wealth in Canada, amounting to $47 billion; this proportion continues to grow as intangible industries expand and tangible industries experience little to no change.

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The Basics of Trade Secrets

Your confidential and proprietary business, financial and technical information forms the trade secrets of your business. Secret technology, secret recipes, secret processes, and secret customer data can all constitute trade secrets in particular circumstances.

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Costs to Expect during the Patent Application Process

As with any step or component of a business plan, the value of seeking a patent must be evaluated in light of associated costs. A patent application process can often take a couple of years, with professional and government fees arising at various stages.

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Understanding the Canadian Patent Application Examination Process

The Canadian patent application examination process typically involves a predictable series of events.

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The Benefits of Use of "Patent Pending"

As the patent process can take years, one way to capitalize on your patent investment immediately is to notify the public that you have applied for a patent.

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Should I Use a Non-Disclosure Agreement or File a Provisional Patent Application to Protect My Invention from Others?

It's a dilemma familiar to many inventors: you want to keep your invention secret to make sure you can benefit from it, but you're eager to share the results of your hard work and creativity.

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Licensing Your Patent: Steps and Strategies

Obtaining a patent ought not be the last step in commercializing your invention. Unless you plan to hold on to your patent as a deterrent for industry competitors, you may choose one of several paths available to commercialize your patented invention or monetize your patent . . . This article deals with licensing.

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Patent Searches and Opinions: Patentability vs. Freedom to Operate

One question that generally comes to mind with a new idea or invention is how to protect it . . . The next, and related question concerns whether another party is going to sue you for selling something they have already patented.

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The Basics of Disclosure in Intellectual Property

The process of taking your invention from an idea to a fully operational business venture can be quite challenging. During this time, you may be inclined to share your idea with potential investors to evaluate its profitability, or advertise it through other channels to showcase your ingenuity or check the market potential. However, if you are eventually hoping to protect your rights with a patent or industrial design registration, you may be endangering your rights by revealing your invention or design to others before you apply for protection.

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Can I Patent My Idea? The Basics of Patentability in Canada

Most successful businesses are built on innovative ideas. To encourage investment in research and development and to help with the commercialization of new technologies, governments grant patents to applicants of allowable patent applications.

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Patent Maintenance Fees

According to the Patent Act and Patent Rules, an applicant who files a Canadian patent application must pay maintenance fees to maintain the application. Maintenance fees must be paid for each one-year period from the second anniversary of the filing date of the patent application to the nineteenth anniversary . . .

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How Long Does It Take to Get a Patent?

In Canada, it takes an average of 33.6 months from requesting examination (which may be done at filing) to get a patent. In the United States, it takes average of 24.3 months from the filing of a patent application to get a patent.

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What Is the Difference between a Patent Search and a Patentability Assessment?

In brief, a patent search is only the first step in a patentability assessment. A patentability assessment includes a patent search, a detailed analysis of the references uncovered and a written report on patentability.

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Key Features of Canadian Patent Prosecution for Foreign Associates

Generally speaking, prosecuting patent applications in Canada is similar to prosecuting patent applications in the United States. Here are particular features of the Canadian Patent Act and Patent Rules that an instructing agent should take note of . . .

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What Is a Provisional Patent Application?

A provisional patent application is a unique feature of United States (U.S.) patent law, whereby an inventor may file a preliminary, incomplete application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to secure a filing date . . .

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The Pitfalls of Drafting Your Own Patent Application

Businesses invest substantial time, money and resources into developing innovative products and appropriately securing intellectual property protection is part and parcel of this journey . . .

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International Patent Protection via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) now has 152 contracting states. The treaty enables individuals looking to protect their invention in multiple jurisdictions to initiate that process with a single application filing . . .

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What Is a Patent?

We see it all the time - a great idea can go a long way. The common recognition of that fact, however, means that a great idea unprotected is likely to be appropriated faster than you can call “dibs” . . .

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How to Conduct a Patent Search

A patent search can be the difference between a profitable and a wasted investment into the patenting or commercialization of an invention . . .

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Securing Patent Protection in the United States

The U.S. is not only the biggest economy in the world by nominal GDP, but also Canada’s biggest trading partner by a large margin. As such, it comes as no surprise that many Canadian businesses looking to commercialize innovative products consider filing for intellectual property protection not only in Canada, but also in the U.S. . . .

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Securing Patent Protection in Europe

After the United States, Europe and its many comprising nations top the list of Canada’s strongest trading partners. Unsurprisingly, the European Patent Office (EPO), which represents Europe’s biggest economies, is also the second most popular destination for Canadians to file patent applications. . . .

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Double Patenting in Canada

Double patenting is prohibited in Canada. The rule against double patenting prevents the grant of more than one patent on a single invention. . . .

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Understanding the Invalidation of Patents Post-Grant in Canada and the United States

In Canada and the United States, issued patents are presumed to be valid for a period until 20 years from its filing date assuming all post-issuance maintenance fees are paid.mThere are a number of situations where one might attempt to invalidate a patent. . . .

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Trademark

Trademark FAQ

. . . A trademark (also referred to as trade-mark or trade mark) is a way to claim and protect the rights to your brand, slogan, logo, or any other manifestations of your corporate image, and, with that, the goodwill and reputation they have acquired with customers.

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Significant Amendments to the Canadian Trade-marks Act Came into Force on June 17, 2019

In 2014, the Canadian government proposed amendments to the Trademarks Act. Through Bill C-31, The Economic Action Plan Act 2014, No. 1, and 2016's Bill C-30 aiming to implement Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), the Trademarks Act underwent substantial changes this year.

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Where Should I Register My Trademark: A Guide to Selecting Jurisdictions

Once you have invested time and money in selecting or designing a name, slogan or logo for your business, it is important to make sure that you protect that asset.

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How to Protect Your Trademarked Goods on Amazon through the Amazon Brand Registry

Online marketplaces have become one of the most popular places to sell goods to consumers across the world. Amazon, in particular, attracts millions of buyers and sellers from across the globe. Unfortunately, online marketplaces are also ripe for infringement of intellectual property, with counterfeiters aiming to capitalize on the goodwill that has been established by legitimate brands.

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How to Devise a Good Trademark

When brainstorming a name or slogan for your business, it is important to remember that not all trademarks are made equal. While a mark may play well with your consumers or describe the products that you are selling to the perfect degree, that may not make it eligible for federal protection.

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The Name Game: Differences between a Corporate Name, Business Name, Domain Name and Trademarks

Choosing a name for your business and building your own brand can be fun and exciting, but if you do not have the right information at the outset, your choices can have some serious legal consequences.

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The Business Benefits of Sound Trademarks

Trademarks are commonly thought of as combinations of words and/or images used to define a business's brand. However, other types of branding, such as sound marks, can be equally useful in ensuring that the goodwill built by your marketing efforts is not compromised by competitors.

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Trademark Symbols as a Mark of Ownership

As a consumer in Canada, it is likely that you have seen the "™" and "®" on commercial products and services. These symbols are meant to signify that the brand name or slogan in question is subject to trademark protection . . .

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What You Need to Know about Conducting Trademark Searches

Obtaining a registered trademark can go a long way in ensuring that your business is protected from competitors. By registering a trademark in the jurisdiction where you conduct business, you can capitalize on the goodwill and popularity that your brand has or will obtain in the process of commercialization.

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Developing a Trademark Strategy for Your Business

When you are developing your business, it is important to have a distinct and unique brand that is recognizable by consumers as a symbol of quality and satisfaction. This type of brand, however, is vulnerable to being infringed by competitors in an effort to reap the positive associations it evokes with consumers.

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Protecting Your Trademarks outside Canada

With the reach of the Internet, your brand may extend (or may soon extend) outside of Canada. As registering your trademark in Canada gives you exclusive rights only in Canada, registration of your trademark in other jurisdictions must be done separately.

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The Differences between Unregistered and Registered Trademarks in Canada

Building a brand is crucial to the growth and sustained success of a business or enterprise. Accordingly, some aspects of a brand may entail valuable and protectable forms of intellectual property.

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Why You Should Apply for a Trademark Registration for Your Corporate Name

A corporate name used as the company’s brand is one of the most valuable trademark assets of a business. Your brand will represent the quality of your goods and services and evoke a particular image and reputation amongst consumers. A strong brand will help facilitate sales of goods and services with which it is identified.

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11 Benefits of Registering Your Trademark in Canada

In Canada, even if you do not own a registration, if you are using a trademark in the Canadian marketplace you are acquiring rights to that mark and these “common law” rights are enforceable. However, common law rights are more limited in scope than the rights that are supplemented by obtaining registration of your trademark. Registration of a trademark provides significant benefits for the trademark owner including . . .

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Foreign Associates: Information and Documents Needed for Canadian Trademark Application Filings in the Canadian Trademark Office

This page is intended to inform lawyers and trademark agents located outside of Canada as to what documents and information will be needed before the Canadian Trademark Office for a corresponding Canadian trademark application filing.

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What Business Lawyers Should Know About Trademarks

In the course of working with our trusted referral partners we have identified a few key points about the crossover between trademark law and corporate law. We hope that by sharing these points we can help to clarify how . . .

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Making the Most Out of Madrid Protocol Trademark Applications

Once you have decided to pursue trademark protection for your business name, you will need to consider the jurisdictions in which you want to be protected and the best route for obtaining that protection . . .

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Common Law Trademark Rights in Canada

Trademarks in Canada can be protected in two ways: through registration under the Trademarks Act or under the common law using the tort of passing off . . .

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Changing Trademark Use: What to Do as Your Business Evolves

As your business evolves, you may begin to use your trademarks in new ways to retain the interest of repeated customers and attract new audiences. In the event of modification or reworking of a trademark, it is important to ensure that the rights previously associated with your mark are not lost . . .

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How to Expunge Registered Trademarks in Canada

The Trademarks Act provides two main avenues for trademarks to be expunged (i.e., removed) from the Register of Trademarks: summary cancellation (section 45) proceedings and expungement (section 57) proceedings . . .

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What Does It Cost To Register a Trademark in Canada?

Registering a trademark in Canada normally entails up to three types of costs: official fees, professional fees, and taxes . . .

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Applying for a Trademark in the European Union

A registered trademark in Canada only effectively protects your trademark in Canada, its reach does not extend to the European Union (EU) or other foreign jurisdictions. Further, unlike in Canada, there is no common law protection for unregistered trademarks in the EU . . .

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Protecting Your Trademark in the United States

For most businesses, entering the U.S. market represents a natural and relatively straightforward expansion of their thriving business. Note, however, that, just like in Canada, making the most out of the success of a business, success which is embodied in its reputation, requires comprehensive trademark protection . . .

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Protecting Your Trademark in Mexico

Many Canadian businesses have recognized the value in entering the Mexican market and their uniquely advantageous position from which to do so. Note, however, that just like in Canada, a registered trademark is a critical component of a business plan for entering the Mexican market . . .

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Protecting Your Trademark in the United Kingdom

In 2019, the UK was the fourth most popular jurisdiction in which Canadians have registered their trademarks. It is unsurprising that Canadians see the value of protecting their trade marks in the UK given the two countries have strong trading relations . . .

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Protecting Your Trademark in Brazil

Did you know that Brazil is one of Canada’s largest trading partners in South America? With more than 6 billion dollars in goods and services exchanged between the two countries annually, Brazil represents a significant market for Canadian businesses . . .

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Why You Should Hire a Trademark Professional to Prepare Your Trademark Application

Not unlike many others, when it comes time to think about registering your business or product name as a trademark, you may be inclined to prepare and submit an application yourself. After all, you know the mark, you know how you’re using it, and you know you own it, what more do you need? . . .

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Trade Dress Protection In Canada

Trademarks create significant value for a business and are applicable to almost all business types . . . “Trade dress” is a term used, particularly in the United States, to refer to the appearance of a good, a good’s packaging, or a service, and which serves to identify and distinguish the source of the good or service. ...

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What You Need to Know About Trademark Use and the Charter of the French Language in Quebec

If you’ve ever visited the province of Quebec, you may have noticed the glaring predominance of the French language on everything from billboards to products in stores. While most often these billboard and products include both of Canada’s official languages, it’s the French language that tends to catch the eye first. This is no accident . . .

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Official Marks in Canada and Beating Official Mark Citations

Official marks are unique to Canadian trademark law. Subparagraph 9(1)(n)(iii) of the Trademarks Act describes the protection of official marks . . .

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Certification Marks in Canada

A certification mark is defined in section 2 of the Trademarks Act (“Act”) to mean: a sign or combination of signs that is used or proposed to be used for the purpose of distinguishing or so as to distinguish goods or services that are of a defined standard from those that are not of that defined standard, with respect to . . .

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Copyright FAQ

. . . The purpose of a copyright is to protect owners of creative works such as music, poetry, literature and art while inspiring creativity and continuous production of such works regardless of their commercial value.

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How to Stop Website Content Scrapers

Content scraping is the practice of repurposing content taken from elsewhere on the web without permission. Content scrapers take your original content and republish it on their own websites.

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What Is Copyright and How Does It Apply to Students?

Copyright is the federal legal protection afforded to literary, dramatic, artistic, and musical works, sound recordings, performances, and communications signals. In Canada, copyright is protected through the federal government's Copyright Act. As a legal regime, copyright provides the work's rightful owner the legal right to exclude all others from exploiting a copyrighted work.

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Debunking Common Copyright Myths of the Online World

When dealing with copyright issues for the first time, it is easy to be bombarded by myths and urban legends. Although much of this misinformation is spread by well-meaning people, it often encourages behaviour that is both illegal and potentially costly.

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Copyright Infringement Online

The Internet allows producers and owners of creative works to share them freely and easily with customers and the public. However, the same ease of uploading and downloading allows infringers to illegally share copyrighted works with others.

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Copyright Infringement Defences in Canada

Receiving a cease and desist letter or a statement of claim alleging that you have infringed someone's copyright can be an upsetting experience.

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Understanding Moral Rights under Copyright Law

. . . It is common to think that copyright privileges entitle the owner only to a monopoly on financial gains from their works, and in many cases, only these economic rights get used by intellectual property owners. However, creators are entitled to another set of rights that comes with being the author of an original work: moral rights.

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Protecting Your Content Online

. . . when operating online, some users fail to appreciate that permission is required to reproduce a work or find it all too easy to help themselves to original creations without first seeking permission. Fortunately, further steps can be taken to maximize copyright protection while operating online. . .

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Copyright Symbol Explained

We come across with copyrighted works, such as, books, paintings, motion picture films, plays and musical compositions, every day. Social media and the Internet allow authors and owners of copyrighted works to share their materials easily with the public. Unfortunately, the same accessibility that allows producers and owners to share copyrighted works online also allows infringers to illegally copy, distribute, and sell copyrighted works of others. . . .

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Copyright and the Public Domain

Copyright is the exclusive legal right to produce, reproduce, publish or perform an original literary, artistic, dramatic or musical work. This means that if you conduct any actions or authorize any acts that are the exclusive rights of the copyright owner, absence a licence or permission to do so, you are infringing their copyright right. . . .

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Industrial Design

Industrial Design FAQ

What is an industrial design? An industrial design (referred to as a design patent in the United States) is a form of intellectual property that protects the aesthetic or ornamental parts of a product.

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The Basics and Benefits of Industrial Design

An industrial design (or design patent) is a form of intellectual property protection available for design innovators in Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions across the world. It is focused on protecting the visual features of an article, namely its design, shape, pattern or ornament.

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Industrial Design Applications Under the Hague Agreement

The Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement) is a collection of international treaties between 69 contracting parties which establishes a unified system for industrial design registration (the Hague System). . .

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IP Litigation

Intellectual Property Litigation FAQ

What is intellectual property litigation? Intellectual property litigation is the process of pursuing legal action in court against a party who has infringed your intellectual property rights.

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How to Enforce Your Rights in Domain Name Disputes

A good website can be one of the valuable assets of a business. It provides immediate access to information about the goods and services the business sells and can act as a point of purchase. When someone else is using a domain that is identical or similar to your trademark or trade-name, this can confuse your customers and be financially damaging to your business.

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How to Use Court Injunctions in Intellectual Property Disputes

Injunctions are often sought by plaintiffs as remedies in intellectual property infringement proceedings.

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What to Do If You Have Received a Cease and Desist Letter

A cease and desist letter often precedes intellectual property (and other) commercial litigation. It is meant to inform the recipient that they have allegedly infringed a legal right of the sender and, at the very least, asks them to stop, or cease, their actions or face potential legal action.

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What You Need to Know about Canadian Trademark Opposition Proceedings

When a trademark application is filed for registration in Canada, anyone is entitled to oppose it on one of four grounds provided in the Canadian Trademarks Act.

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I Think My Intellectual Property Rights Are Being Infringed; What Now?

So what happens when you catch someone else using a trademark that you created and have been using in association with your business? . . .

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Trademark Infringement and the Tort of Passing Off

So, what happens when you catch someone else using a trademark that you created and have been using in association with your business? . . .

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Damages for Intellectual Property Infringement in Canada

The recoverable damages amount is often a key factor in a plaintiff’s decision to pursue litigation . . .

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IP Commercialization

The Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program (SR&ED) – A Cash Incentive to Innovate

SR&ED is a generous tax credit offered by the Canadian government to businesses operating in Canada attempting to advance technology in some way.

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How to Make a Business Plan for Commercializing Your Invention

Creating a business plan that outlines the process by which you plan to bring your invention to market can be essential for ensuring your enterprise is successful.

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Marketing Your Invention

For even the most novel and useful invention, a lack of awareness in the marketplace of the invention and its benefits can result in poor commercial performance. Even if you do not intend to sell your invention directly, awareness could greatly increase the value of potential opportunities to license or sell your rights.

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Strategies for Funding the Commercialization of an Invention

Taking your invention from an idea to a marketable product can be difficult and expensive. In order to get the product into the consumers' hands, money will need to be spent on development, production and marketing. Further, a number of other costs will inevitably arise, from protecting your intellectual property . . .

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How to Crowdfund an Invention without Losing Intellectual Property Rights

You have come up with a brilliant new, useful and inventive product, but commercializing an invention can be very expensive. Between production costs, marketing costs and the cost of securing intellectual property rights, many inventors simply do not have the funds to bring their inventions to market.

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Rebranding Your Business: Steps and Strategies

Consumer brand awareness and goodwill are crucial to business success. However, the brand that resonated with your target market when you originally launched is not guaranteed to continue attracting your consumer base in the same manner a few years post market entry.

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Determining the Value of Your Intellectual Property

In developed countries around the world, there is an ever-growing shift toward the knowledge economy, or industries based on innovation and intangible assets. As of 2008, intangible assets have composed 31.2% of all wealth in Canada, and the proportion continues to steadily increase.

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How to Monetize Intellectual Property

The development of intellectual property assets is crucial to the innovation, competitiveness and sustained growth of an entity. These assets may also be leveraged as another source of revenue, strengthening overall profits and diversifying risk.

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Innovation Funding and Grants

A list of sources of funding and grants for innovators in Canada.

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Ten Key IP Questions You Should Consider When Starting a Business

You need to concern yourself with intellectual property rights at the start of any new business. If you fail to respect the intellectual property rights of others, you may become liable for monetary damages and you could be forced to redesign your product or service or to rebrand your products, services or business.

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How to Create an Effective Intellectual Property Monetization Strategy

Creating an effective intellectual property monetization strategy ensures that the intangible assets you have created are profitable to your business and effective in achieving your long-term goals.

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Protecting, Licensing and Enforcing Your Rights in Digital Publications

Digital publishing offers several advantages over traditional publishing, including reduced production costs, lack of physical shipping expenses, and instant delivery. However, digital publishing also presents risks, including the threat of digital piracy . . .

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Legitimizing Your Side Hustle

...it’s not completely uncommon for what was once a side hustle to evolve into a business venture so profitable it takes the place of the entrepreneur’s day job. Whether you’re already there, or looking ahead, you may want to consider taking steps toward legitimizing your side business. In doing so, you’re ensuring that, among other things, the investment you make into your business is safe and is more likely to be profitable in the long term. You’re facilitating customer retention, you’re protecting your business’ unique value proposition, and you’re acquiring saleable assets . . .

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Why European Businesses Ought to Enter the Canadian Market

CETA (the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Trade Agreement) is a bilateral agreement between Canada and the European Union covering virtually all aspects of trade between the two. The agreement ... served to reduce barriers to trade. The elimination of these tariffs puts EU businesses on, in this respect, near-equal footing with domestic Canadian businesses, enabling them to better compete in Canadian markets. . . .

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Does My Business Need a Privacy Policy for its Website?

Customer loyalty is built on a relationship of trust-–trust that your business will provide consistent quality goods and services, but also trust that your business will safeguard the personal information customers share with you when using your website. The value of a properly drafted website privacy policy in retaining your customer’s trust in your business should not be underestimated.. . .

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General IP

Employee’s Rights to Intellectual Property

When your business expands to include employees or contractors that work alongside you, the rules governing intellectual property become somewhat more complicated.

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Is My Intellectual Property Worth Registering?

When deciding whether to incur the cost of seeking intellectual property (IP) rights through a government intellectual property office, you may wish to consider whether your idea or work is eligible for registration, the value of IP rights as assets, the value of IP rights in increasing profitability, and the value of IP rights in deterring competitors and defending a market space.

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The Importance of Registering Intellectual Property Transfers

For many owners of intellectual property rights, the transferable nature of these rights greatly enhances their value. Their transferable nature allows these rights to be sold, licensed, bequeathed, and used as collateral.

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The Inheritance of Intellectual Property

Innovation, creation and authorship are concepts that are often associated with growth and vitality. However, some consideration should also be given to what happens to intellectual property rights owned by an individual when that individual passes away.

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Protecting Your Intellectual Property from Infringement

For many businesses, intellectual property can be a main asset, which increases business value and market potential. However, the value of intellectual property can only be preserved if the intellectual property rights are enforced and instances of infringement are dealt with when they arise.

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Intellectual Property Ownership Considerations for Employees and Independent Contractors

A great deal of protectable intellectual property is created by employees and contractors. From inventions to new product designs to creative works, employees and contractors make many contributions.

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What You Should Know about Intellectual Property Licences and Transfers

By default, intellectual property is owned by the individuals who have created it and, where applicable, registered or patented it in their jurisdiction. However, there are a number of circumstances under which intellectual property may need to be, or is, licensed or transferred to another.

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The Value of Intellectual Property

In the past decades, the knowledge economy (the sector of national the economy that is based largely on intangible assets) has grown substantially across the world. The economies of developed countries such as Canada and the United States are becoming increasingly oriented toward innovation . . .

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Statistics on the Value and Importance of Intellectual Property

How important is intellectual property? Intellectual property is an economic driver in Canada, the U.S. and Europe: 51% of Canada's economy is represented by knowledge-based industries; over time, Canada is becoming increasingly dependent on industries of intangible goods and industries propelled by research and development.

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Avoiding Intellectual Property Pitfalls When Starting a Business

Entrepreneurs ought to put intellectual property management and protection at the forefront of their concerns in a new business venture. But between daily operations and a focus on growing the business, action to protect innovations and brand reputation is sometimes pushed to the backburner.

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Intellectual Property Considerations in Closing Your Business

Over the past year, we’ve witnessed the demise of countless once thriving businesses. Faced with regular shutdowns and the need to adapt to constantly changing public health orders, businesses in multiple industries have taken hard hits to their bottom line. If you’re now facing the unfortunate reality of needing to permanently close your business, here are a few things to think about...

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Pursuing Intellectual Property Assets as a Creditor of a Bankrupt Party

Faced with bankruptcy, and the need to disclose and deliver all property, many assets will readily come to a bankrupt’s mind for inclusion in the list. For example, money, vehicles, electronics, and interests in land. These are all things with which we associate value, they are also generally assets which are tangible. It is therefore not unsurprising that an individual may often overlook a very valuable intangible asset and thereby fail to disclose the same to the trustee – an interest in intellectual property such as a patent or trademark...

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How to Protect Your IP Without Non-Compete Clauses in Ontario

On October 25, 2021, the government introduced Bill 27: Working for Workers Act, 2021... prohibiting the use of non-compete provisions in employment contracts. If your employees are creating intellectual property for your business or are using confidential intellectual property in your business created by you (i.e., trade secrets), your ability to restrict them from working with your competitor after leaving your business may have played an integral role in protecting your intellectual property or confidential information. ...

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What Does the Canadian Intellectual Property Office Do?

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office, also known as CIPO, is a special operating agency under the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), a department of the Government of Canada. In Canada, intellectual property (IP) is of federal jurisdiction, that is, IP applications from different provinces are prosecuted under the same set of rules. ...

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What are Plant Breeders’ Rights?

The Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Act protects new varieties of plants which reproduce both sexually and asexually. A plant breeder with plant breeders’ rights has the exclusive right to sell, produce, reproduce, import and export the propagating material of their variety for up to 25 years for tree or vine varieties (including their rootstocks), and 20 years for all other plant varieties. ...

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