Region: Canada

As remote working has become du jour for many, WTR asks the IP offices of Canada, the European Union, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom to reflect on the ups and downs of operating during a global pandemic – and what might remain of the systems developed over the past year.

29 April 2021

As part of the overhaul of Canadian trademark laws, lack of distinctiveness was introduced as a possible bar to registration. Various strategies are available to overcome non-distinctiveness objections, but a level of uncertainty is likely to remain until the Trademarks Office’s practice falls into place.

13 April 2021

Featured in Special Report 2021 Q1: The rise of mass filers and register clutter

Major legislative reforms in Canada prompted an influx of applications from Gleissner in 2017. Smart & Biggar partner Kohji Suzuki and associate Nora Labbancz explain how this happened and what the authorities did next.

08 April 2021

Baker McKenzie’s first-ever chief inclusion and diversity officer, Anna Brown, reveals how the firm draws on its global resources to support diversity, equity and inclusion through clear policy, cross-functional leadership and community outreach programmes.

26 March 2021

With new approaches to grey goods, clarification on infringements involving official marks and a revised standard of review on appeals from the registrar, 2020 saw a number of important decisions in Canada.

15 March 2021

Featured in Trademark Litigation: A Global Guide 2021

Canada has a robust system of trademark enforcement, with several available causes of action for an aggrieved owner.

08 January 2021

In response to the covid-19 pandemic, the Canadian Trademarks Office is now accepting requests to expedite examination of trademark applications that cover goods or services relating to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment or cure of covid-19.

05 January 2021

Hard-working representatives from registries in Canada, France, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States reveal what makes them tick and how to guarantee a successful trademark application in their jurisdiction.

04 January 2021

Experts at three of the world’s busiest IP offices reveal what it takes for an application to pass key requirements on descriptiveness.

28 December 2020

This decision of the Quebec Court of Appeal is good news for distributors whose rights under an exclusive distribution agreement are knowingly undermined by third parties selling grey market goods.

16 December 2020