Until recently for young intellectual property professionals, learning their craft was much like walking down a well-worn path. Common strategies for dealing with obstacles encountered included asking mentors and peers, referring to industry guidelines or commentary, and following precedents and past practices that have proven successful.

The restrictions on workplaces resulting from provincial emergency orders and the need to physically distance have created a myriad of challenges for employers. Chief among these challenges is setting up or operationalizing remote working for employees.

Global companies are pivoting production lines to help address an increased need for personal protective equipment (PPE) in Canada. These efforts exemplify integrity and willingness to work towards a greater good. However, there has been no shortage of bad actors looking to profit in this crisis.

Organizations are now accepting BYOD as the new “normal”. Some may fail, however, to appreciate the risks that can arise with an employee’s use of their mobile device. To address these risks, organizations should review, update and revise accordingly the remote access, security and other policies in response to the increased use of personal mobile devices that access an organization’s information technology.

The global impact of COVID on the economy and every day life is spurring efforts to find solutions to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Innovative Canadian technology companies, either existing or pivoting in the health care space, are being fueled by funding and investment opportunities and responding to urgent demands in the marketplace.

The Canadian Registrar of Trademarks, Commissioner of Patents and the Minister responsible for the Industrial Designs Act have “designated” the time-period running from March 16, 2020 up to and including May 15, 2020. 

What happens to a trademark when COVID-19 prevents a trademark owner from using the trademark in the normal course of business?

By now you have probably encountered a plethora of articles that discuss how to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experimenting with different aspects of your routine is one way to determine what does and doesn’t work for you.

By updated Practice Direction and Order dated April 4, 2020, the Federal Court has extended its Suspension Period to May 15, 2020, and detailed its strategy for keeping the Court running during the COVID-19 crisis.

Unprecedented. Unparallelled. Unheard-of. All of these adjectives, and more, have been used to describe the current situation the world is facing in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

This is the first edition of IPIC's new member profile series on the UnscrIPted blog, which aims to feature a Canadian IP professional monthly and discuss their career accomplishments, interests and overall outlook on the IP profession. Sheema Khan is a patent agent with the intellectual property strategy division at Stratford Managers Corporation in Ottawa, Ontario.

For young lawyers, it can be difficult to build a career that is – or will become – meaningful to you. Developing relationships with mentors can be a valuable way to stay on a career path that is enjoyable and provides continued growth opportunities. IPIC's Young Practitioners Committee has compiled some tips on how to make the most of your mentorship relationships.