Beware of Trademark and Patent Scams: Protect Your Intellectual Property

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. Below, we outline common warning signs, steps to safeguard yourself, and resources to combat these scams.

Recent Scam Alerts

Both the College of Patent and Trademark Agents (CPATA) and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) have issued warnings about fraudulent activities targeting intellectual property (IP) owners:

• CPATA provides an insightful article on fraudulent notices related to patents and trademarks. Read it here.
• CIPO highlights an active phishing scam targeting trademark owners across North America. Learn more through their web notice here.

These scams often involve impersonators pretending to be IP attorneys, sometimes using actual Canadian Patent or Trademark Agents names, and urging immediate action to "protect" your intellectual property.

Key Warning Signs of IP Scams

1. Urgent Payment Requests Fraudsters demand immediate payment, claiming your trademark or patent protection is about to expire or is under threat.
2. False Expertise Claims Phrases like "team of experts" or "Intellectual Property Attorneys" are used to establish false credibility.
3. Fear Tactics and Pressure Scammers may allege that another party is attempting to register your business name as a trademark, urging "immediate action" to prevent this.
4. Persistent Follow-ups Ignored initial emails often lead to increasingly urgent messages, with subject lines like "FINAL ATTEMPT."

Steps to Protect Yourself

1. Be Wary of Unsolicited Requests Treat all unsolicited emails, especially those requesting payments, with suspicion.
2. Verify Sender Details Examine the sender's email address, telephone area code and other contact details carefully. Legitimate communications will come from recognizable domains and local area codes.
3. Conduct Independent Research Investigate claims or names mentioned in emails to identify any history of similar scams or to verify the Agent’s name through CPATA, ensuring the same contact details for that agent are in the email you received etc.
4. Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information Do not disclose personal or financial information to unknown parties.

Steps to Protect Your Client and our Profession

• If you find that an actual Agent’s name is being used for these scams, do your colleague a favour and notify them!
• If your name is being used in scams, report this to CPATA
• Ask your client to report the fraud

How to Report Fraud

If you receive a suspicious email, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

Conclusion

Scammers prey on fear and urgency, making it crucial to remain cautious and informed. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your intellectual property, contact a registered Canadian patent or trademark agent. They are equipped to guide you through legitimate processes and protect your assets.