Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a time of celebration, tradition, and creativity. For content creators in Canada—whether you’re designing holiday merchandise, crafting social media campaigns, or writing Hanukkah-themed stories—it’s essential to be mindful of intellectual property laws. The festive spirit of Hanukkah offers abundant creative inspiration, but it also raises important questions about copyright and trademark issues, especially when incorporating traditional symbols, phrases, and imagery.

If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. Twice in the past four months, the Trademark Opposition Board has identified instances where an applicant’s agent has cited cases that do not exist as part of arguments filed to request an interlocutory ruling under section 38(6) of the Trademarks Act to strike all or part of an opposition statement. The suspected culprit behind these false citations —generative artificial intelligence. Learn how these incidents unfolded and what legal professionals must do to avoid similar mistakes.

Scams targeting trademark and patent owners are on the rise, with fraudsters employing fear tactics and impersonation to trick unsuspecting individuals and businesses. It’s essential to stay vigilant and informed to avoid falling victim to these schemes. Heather Boyd, Principal and Trademark Agent at Pillar IP, outlines common warning signs, steps to safeguard yourself, and resources to combat these scams.

Canada is a global leader in climate-focused innovation, yet CIPO’s Green Technologies Program—a fast, cost-effective way to accelerate green patents—remains underused. Brigide Mattar and Audrey Berteau highlight how this program helps innovators secure patents quickly, attract investment, and advance sustainable solutions in the global green economy.

Patent law is a complex and evolving field where success hinges on a practitioner's ability to adapt and grow. In "Deliberately Develop Your Practice Style", author Ryan De Vries reflects on lessons learned from mentors and the critical aspects of developing a personal approach to the practice of patent law. From mastering attention to detail and understanding a client’s portfolio to avoiding superficial analysis of technology, the article highlights practical strategies for creating a practice style that balances precision, deep technical understanding, and long-term value for clients.

Is “source identification” a basis for a virtuous life? IPIC spoke to three heavyweights in the trademark field – Monique Couture, Janice Bereskin, and Kwan Loh – to explore what moral dividends a career in trademarks can pay. As their experiences reveal, trademarks are more than business assets – they also protect consumers, keep businesses accountable, and enrich our lives with a tapestry of creative content.

Looking for some engaging end of summer reading? Join the IPIC Indigenous IP Community on a challenging, engaging, and inspirational journey laid out in an award winning book: "Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation". Consider this your formal invite to join an IPIC Book Club webinar for a discussion with the authors, Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson, on Friday, October 18, 2024.

In the recent case of Boehringer v JAMP, 2024 FC 1198, the Federal Court revisited the essential versus non-essential claim element test. Devin Doyle walks us through this pivotal case, centered around the patents for nintedanib capsules, explored whether the presence of lecithin in the formulation was a non-essential element. The Court’s decision provides significant insights into claim construction, emphasizing the importance of carefully interpreting patent language to determine the essentiality of claim elements.

In our latest article, Lesley Caswell & Mary Murray of Aitken Klee LLP cover a rare federal court ruling where two AP&C patents related to metal powder manufacturing were invalidated for ambiguity. In this legal battle, the court's decision hinged on the unclear definition of a key patent term, setting a precedent in patent law. Dive into the full article to uncover the details of this landmark case and its implications for the industry.

We're thrilled to share the inspiring journey of one of our scholarship recipients, Reanna George! After overcoming the challenges of transitioning to university during a global pandemic, Reanna has completed an undergraduate degree in psychology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Now, she's taking the next big step—pursuing a master’s degree in experimental psychology with a focus on health and wellness.

The Conference Committee is excited to be putting the finishing touches on the planning for this year’s Annual Conference, being held from September 25-27 in beautiful St. John’s Newfoundland, one of the oldest and most easterly cities in North America.    

Podcasts have become an increasingly accessible method of staying informed. While it can seem unachievable to sit down at the end of the day and dive into an educational article or new legal decision, podcasts provide a flexible method of learning that can fit more easily into daily routines. This blog provides suggestions of Canadian and international podcasts that discuss intellectual property in different and informative ways.