Canadian IP voices

David Bland, author of Testing Business Ideas , and Kevin Dahl, Director of ElevateIP Alberta at Innovate Calgary, explore how to better balance your business strategy with IP considerations. Consider gathering real evidence from customers before spending a fortune building the wrong product. Learn how to identify your riskiest business assumptions using practical frameworks and strategically stru...

Facing an IP dispute? There are resolution options that don’t require going to court and the associated fees. Gary Lacasse, Executive Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and Justine Ferland, legal officer, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre, explore how alternative dispute resolution can help resolve conflicts and protect intellectual property. From mediat...

The Innovation Asset Collective (IAC) is on a mission to help cleantech companies understand the value of their IP. Erin Pisko, Vice-President of IP Strategy at the IAC, uses real-world examples to show on which components of an IP strategy cleantech companies should focus. The IAC’s core programming provides a comprehensive suite of supports, including funding and skill-building to help increase...

How does ElevateIP help deliver IP support to businesses?  Laura Cooke (ISED), Louis-Félix Binette, and Lola Arnaud (MAIN) answer this important question and more. Hear about how to access funding and how support is structured to promote long-term growth for your company. Note: This episode was recorded in 2023 and since then ElevateIP has been awarded new funding to continue delivering on their m...

Ken Poulin is an independent trademark agent based in Vancouver. He explains why IP protection should start before and not after market success. As a Black entrepreneur himself, he shares his insights on what it looks like to support underrepresented communities, the role of diversity in Canada's innovation landscape and why educating business owners about the value of IP requires patience, empath...

Vincent de Grandpré , lawyer and trademark agent at Bennett Jones and member of IPIC’s Committee for Indigenous IP explains the intersection between intellectual property law and the protection of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions.    Explore online:  Indigenous peoples and intellectual property (canada.ca) Indigenous Bar Association Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the R...

Juda Strawczynski, CEO and Registrar of the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents (CPATA) explains how CPATA regulates the IP agent profession, ensuring that patent agents and trademark agents deliver accessible, ethical and expert IP services in Canada. Explore online: CPATA Public Register CPATA Code of Professional Conduct

Alan Gunderson, senior economist and coordinator at the Economic Analysis Directorate at the Competition Bureau explains the Bureau’s mandate and actions when it comes to intellectual property. Explore online: Intellectual Property Enforcement Guidelines

David Arsenault, Atlantic Regional Manager for the Canada Revenue Agency's Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program, demystifies the parallel worlds of R&D and IP from an SR&ED tax incentive program perspective. Explore online: SR&ED tax incentives Self-Assessment and Learning Tool SR&ED outreach program Request a free telephone consultation with an SR&ED spec...

Grant Lynds, a senior advisor on IP matters from the IP Centre of Expertise, sheds light on the role of this group and how IP considerations are addressed in government funding agreements. Explore online: Canadian Intellectual Property Office Intellectual Property Centre of Expertise College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Intellectual Property Institute of Canada

Kiriakoula Hatzikiriakos, Manager-Senior Legal Counsel in the Commercial/International sector of Legal Affairs at the National Bank of Canada, explains the rules and challenges of using IP as a collateral for funding. Explore online: BLOG | koulah Intellectual Property-Backed Financing | BDC.ca

Lawyer and IP expert Sylvain Roy discusses key considerations in IP valuation. Explore online:  Intellectual property valuation Valuing Intellectual Property Assets

Seasoned IP litigator, Elizabeth Dipchand , unravels the intricacies and importance of protecting unregistered intellectual assets, managing relationships, documenting agreements and navigating the nuanced landscape where registered and unregistered rights intersect. Explore online: Protect new ideas and creations Prove who owns new ideas and creations

Daniel Lamarre , Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, explains the critical role IP played for Cirque du Soleil during the pandemic. Explore online: Sample of the brands of the Cirque du Soleil Balancing Acts: Unleashing the Power of Creativity in Your Life and Work, by Daniel Lamarre

André Gallant, one of CIPO's IP advisors, talks about how IP advisors break myths and highlights opportunities and risks around IP and IP protection. Explore online: Contact CIPO IP advisors

Anthony Dearden explains how the new unitary patent and Unified Patent Court in Europe will work and shares some key considerations for anyone applying for patents in Europe. Explore online: Guide to the Unified Patent Court (UPC) | Gowling WLG Unitary Patent – European Patent Office

Dominique Lambert, Patent agent at Bereskin & Parr explains how the provisional patent in the US works and how to apply for patent protection abroad using the PCT.    Explore online: Provisional Application for Patent | USPTO (English only) 

Louis Carbonneau, patent broker who evaluates hundreds of patents for clients each year shares some tips and tricks on where to spend the money to ensure you file for valuable IP rights.  Explore online:  Louis Carbonneau’s blog   (English only) 

Guillaume Lavoie Ste-Marie , copyright, patent and trademark litigator and principal at Smart & Biggar in Montreal, talks about ChatGPT, intellectual property (IP) tips and traps that artificial intelligence (AI) users should be aware of before creating works with AI—and if using AI to answer IP questions is a good idea.

Robert Guay, director of IP at Shopify, shares some ideas and insights on how to think like a pro when it comes to patents. Explore online: Plan for success – Build an IP strategy

Johanne Boivin, expert advisor at  Point Cardinal and former CEO or Executive Vice-President shares her story how IP saved her business. Explore online : Learn about IP

Julie Jones and Raed AlHout explain how the FIFA head office in Switzerland and officials in Qatar protect FIFA IP assets before and during the World Cup. Explore online:  FIFA Intellectual Property Guidelines

Martin Lacelle from Corporations Canada and lawyer James Plotkin clarify the differences between and importance of legal/trade/brand/domain names. Explore online: Corporations Canada Incorporating in a specific province or territory Filing for a trademark with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office Canadian Internet Registration Authority

Josée Pharand, Director of IP Programs and Policies at ventureLAB, explains how ventureLAB supports innovators and their IP in the Canadian innovation ecosystem. Tune in for a discussion about choosing between patents and trade secrets, and learn how many accelerators and incubators help companies grow without asking for any stake in their IP, equity or future revenues. Discover online: https://ww...

Brigitte Chan, lawyer and trademark agent discusses  what the IP professionals are observing as real brands are going virtual in a fictional universe; the metaverse.   Discover online:  The IP Metaverse Series: Part I: Brands are Plugging in and Cashing in - Protecting Trademarks and Copyright in Virtual Goods and Services Part II: IP Metaverse Series - Part II: Patent Considerations   The IP Meta...