Continuing Professional Development

	Hours

The IPIC Trademark Exam Prep Course is an in-depth program intended to prepare candidates for the Canadian Trademark Agent Examination.

Curriculum

The curriculum will cover topics tested in the exam:

Pre-advertisement issues corresponding to PART A of the Exam including searching and availability, filing applications, responding to office actions, section 12(2) and 14 affidavits.
Post-advertisement issues corresponding to PART B of the Exam including opposition proceedings, section 45 proceedings, licensing, assignments, renewals, infringement and passing off.

Format

The course is conducted online over 10 weeks and includes:

comprehensive reading material
weekly practice assignments reviewed by instructors
simulated exam questions (Q&A)
discussion forum
webinar recordings on the review of case law

A Series of Webinar Recordings

Case study webinars will assist candidates in interpreting jurisprudence, the Trade-marks Act and the Trade-marks Regulations.

A former Trademark Agent Examining Board member will offer guidance on preparing for and writing the Exam.

Assignments

	Assignment Due Dates
UNIT 1 Trademark Searching & Availability	March 9
UNIT 2 Preparing and Filing the Trademark Application	March 16
UNIT 3 Office Actions - Conformity (Section 30)	March 23
UNIT 4 Office Actions - Inherent Registrability (Section 12)	March 30
UNIT 5 Office Actions - Entitlement (Section 16)	April 6
UNIT 6 Grounds of Opposition (Section 38(2)(a)) - Conformity	April 13
UNIT 7 Grounds of Opposition (Section 38(2)(b)) - Registrability	April 20
UNIT 8 Grounds of Opposition (Section 38(2)(c) and (d)) - Entitlement and Distinctiveness	April 27
UNIT 9 Allowance, Renewals, Assignments, Licensing, Passing Off, Infringement, Combating Counterfeit Products Act	May 4
UNIT 10 Section 45 Proceedings	May 11

Is this course right for you?

The course is aimed at candidates who possess an understanding of:

the basic principles of trademark law, including descriptiveness, distinctiveness, confusion, and entitlement;
the trademark process from filing to registration and beyond, including exposure to office actions involving technical and substantive objections, and to assignments and licensing;
opposition and summary non-use cancellation proceedings, including exposure to opposition pleadings and evidence.

Testimonial

"The IPIC Trademark Agent Exam Prep Course was an invaluable resource in helping prepare me for the 2015 Trademark Agent Exam. The written materials provided a concise overview of the critical law, while the practical exercises proved the foundation I needed to succeed on the exam. Highly recommended for anyone considering writing the Trademark Agent Exam, or just looking to brush up on their trademark law."

Tamara Céline Winegust (Bereskin & Parr LLP)
Winner of the Foundation’s Award for the highest mark overall in the 2015 Trademark Agent Exam

Tuition

Enrollment is limited; should it become necessary to restrict the number of participants, preference will be given to those planning to sit for the 2018 Trademark Agent Examination.

IPIC Member: $1,200 + applicable taxes

Non-Member: $1,500 + applicable taxes

Financial aid may be available for students whose tuition fees are not paid by an employer. Applicants will be considered on the basis of their annual income. Please contact the IPIC office at admin@ipic.ca or 613-234-0516.

Registration Deadline: February 23, 2018