• About us
    Who We AreStaff DirectoryBoard of DirectorsHall of FameMember AwardsStrategic Plan / Annual ReportsCommittees/CommunitiesCode of EthicsEducational FoundationEquity, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Advocacy
    IP IncentivesIPIC SubmissionsIPIC Intervention Policy
  • What is IP?
     IP BasicsOwn it. CampaignWhy Use a ProfessionalHow to Become an AgentIndigenous Traditional Knowledge
  • Education
    Certification ProgramsCourses & EventsMentorship Program
  • Resources
    COVID-19 UpdatesNewsCIPRFind an IP ProfessionalIPIC Job Bank2019 Compensation StudyMedia KitIP Assist
  • Membership
    Your profession. Our purpose.Join NowMember BenefitsMember CategoriesMember Referral ProgramInsurance Program: IP Agent Insurance
  • 0
  • FR
Rachel Marcus
York University
Topics
Share

Recap of IPIC2020 Virtual: Emerging Trends in IP - What Does The Future Hold?

Published on October 9, 2020

Introduction

Every year, the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) hosts a national conference, welcoming IP lawyers from all over Canada to network and to learn from leaders in the field. This year, the leadership at IPIC worked hard to make sure that the annual conference was just as meaningful and successful as other years, despite the challenges they faced with the ongoing pandemic. I was fortunate enough to attend “IPIC2020 Virtual: Emerging Trends in IP - What Does The Future Hold?” and I am excited to share some of the highlights of my experience.

Address by IPIC President, Stephanie Chong

The event began with an address from IPIC’s new President, Stephanie Chong, who emphasized that both COVID-19 and the social movements emerging internationally will have a major impact on the implementation of IPIC’s new three-year Strategic Plan. Ms. Chong shared that IPIC is committed to working on tangible initiatives to increase equity, diversity and inclusion within the organization and in the IP profession at large.

Highlights

One of the highlights for me was the “Fireside Chat” with The Honourable Thomas Cromwell. He fielded questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the court system, whether courts should adopt an approach of technological neutrality or technological novelty, and whether Canada should have specialist judges for IP-related matters. He tackled these complex issues in stride and I really enjoyed listening to his perspective.

Another presentation that I particularly enjoyed was the Indigenous IP session. Professor Catherine Bell of the University of Alberta shared a number of useful sources to learn more about Indigenous perspectives on IP. These include the Indigenous Heritage Circle and the Intellectual Property Issues in Cultural Heritage project at Simon Fraser University. She also pointed to the beginning of a relationship between Tsilhqot’in Nation and University of British Columbia, which, among other things, provides that Tsilhqot’in Nation will own any data that comes out of research done in collaboration with the University.

Following Professor Bell, Merle Alexander of MT + Co reminded us that there is a lot of low-hanging fruit in IP law that could be fairly easily addressed by looking at other jurisdictions, similar to ours, which have made progress regarding Indigenous rights in relation to IP.

CIPO

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) had a strong presence throughout the conference, providing practice updates for CIPO in general, but also for the patent and trademark branches, respectively. The CEO of CIPO, Konstantinos Georgaras, emphasized that COVID-19 actually pushed the office to take measures that it had already been moving towards, such as the further digitalization of correspondence.

CIPO’s goal is to provide entirely digital correspondence in the future, and during this time, it has made strides towards that objective. Georgaras also pointed out that the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and CIPO chatbot was a great resource during this time, which of course made me appreciate the IP Osgoode Chatbot, aptly named Isaac Pewton, for its value as well.

Other presentations during the conference covered such topics as the top IP cases of 2020, file wrapper estoppel, updates to section 56 of the Patent Act, site blocking, patentable subject matter of computer implemented inventions and copyright issues surrounding machine-generated works.

There were too many fascinating topics discussed this year to cover in one short blog, so the surest way not to miss out on stimulating discussions with leaders in IP law is to register for next year’s conference. IPIC plans to hold its next annual conference in Newfoundland next October.

Acknowledgment

I want to thank IPIC for allowing me to attend the conference on behalf of the IPilogue. It was a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend that students who are able to become members of IPIC do so. There is a student membership rate, and financial aid available for those who qualify. I have found it to be a welcoming and supportive community, and I hope that all who are interested in practicing IP law get a chance to experience it for themselves!

*This article was originally published on the IPOsgoode blog: https://www.iposgoode.ca/2020/10/recap-of-ipic2020-virtual-emerging-trends-in-ip-what-does-the-future-hold/ 

*Article disponible en anglais seulement.

Related Articles

May 12, 2023

Tips and Tricks for Effective Virtual Advocacy

Ryan Wong
As a junior IP litigator, I find myself having a lot of questions about what it means to be an effective advocate in these “modern” times. I am among the first cohort of students to cut my teeth as a 2L summer and articling student wholly during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, my legal experience has been one of constant adjustments. I’ve witnessed our profession’s incredible ability to adapt and react to unprecedented times.
TopicsEmerging Leaders Committee
May 5, 2023

Practice Tips for Emerging IP Practitioners Looking to Work In-House

Anastassia Trifonova
Today's emerging IP practitioners have a wide range of career options. While IP work was traditionally handled exclusively by law firms, more and more businesses are now seeking IP specialists to complement their in-house legal teams. As organizations strive to optimize their internal legal resources, IP lawyers and agents alike can bring valuable expertise to the table. This article aims to provides helpful tips for IP professionals who are looking to succeed in-house.
TopicsEmerging Leaders Committee
April 24, 2023

Join IPIC & its Educational Foundation in recognizing World IP Day 2023 on April 26th

Kevin Shipley, Nicole Mantini
The theme of this year’s World IP Day is an important reminder that many segments of Canadian society do not have equal access to the necessary resources and tools to thrive in our profession. IPIC has been focused on raising awareness and working to make meaningful, positive change in respect of these issues. Since 2019, IPIC's Educational Foundation’s [Patent & Trademark Institute Educational Foundation (PTIEF)] mandate has been to encourage education and scholarship in the IP field with a focus on promoting diversity and inclusion among IP professionals and removing barriers to access for members of under-represented groups interested in pursuing educational opportunities in the IP field.
TopicsFoundation Committee EDI Educational Foundation

MISSION

Our mission is to enhance our members’ expertise as trusted intellectual property advisors, and to shape a policy and business environment that encourages the development, use, and value of intellectual property.


VISION

Our vision is for IPIC to be the leading authority on intellectual property in Canada, and the voice of intellectual property professionals.

LATEST TWEETS

Twitter feed is currently not available

CONTACT US

360 Albert Street, Suite 550
Ottawa, ON K1R 7X7

T 613-234-0516
E admin@ipic.ca

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The IPIC office is located in Ottawa, on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people.

©2021 Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, Ottawa, ON
Designed by Ottawa Web Design driven by Member Management Software