Interested in becoming a member? Have a look at the categories of membership below. Please note that all members must be at least 18 years of age. More information on each category is available in our By-laws.
1. Affiliate Membership
2024: $450.00
You are eligible to become an Affiliate member* if you are interested in the objectives of IPIC.
2. Associate Membership
2024: $450.00
You are eligible to become an Associate member*, if you are a resident of Canada, and:
- Are a registered patent or trademark agent in Canada, or
- Have practised in patents or trademarks for at least two years in Canada, 18 months of which has been under the supervision of a registered patent or trademark agent, or
- Have practised for at least two years in Canada in the fields of patent, trademark, industrial design or copyright law, as a lawyer qualified in any province of Canada.
- Associate members are entitled to vote at IPIC’s General Meetings.
3. Academic Membership
2024: $205.00
You are eligible to become an Academic member* if you are a resident of Canada, are interested in the objectives of IPIC and are engaged full-time as a member of a faculty of a Canadian university or college.
4. In-House Associates
2024: $335.00
An applicant for admission as an In-house Associate shall be employed as his or her principal occupation at the time of their application by a single employer and provide services only for and on behalf of that employer (i.e. in-house counsel). Such employer may be a corporation or an unincorporated business (not within a law firm or IP agency). In addition, an applicant for admission as an In-house Associate shall be a resident of Canada, and shall have been engaged in Canada for the period indicated below as his or her principal occupation, in one or a combination of:
- patent practice for at least two years, eighteen months of which shall have been under the personal direction and supervision of a person registered to practice as a resident of Canada before the Canadian Patent Office, unless the applicant shall, at the time of application, be registered as a resident of Canada to practice before the Canadian Patent Office in which case no evidence of such personal supervision and direction shall be required;
- trademark practice for at least two years, eighteen months of which shall have been under the personal direction and supervision of a person registered as a resident of Canada to practice before the Canadian Trademarks Office, unless the applicant shall, at the time of application, be registered as a resident of Canada to practice before the Canadian Trademarks Office in which case no evidence of such personal supervision and direction shall be required;
- other practice for at least two years in the fields of patent, trademark, industrial design or copyright law, as a lawyer authorized to practice law by the law society of any province of Canada or the Chamber of Notaries in the Province of Quebec.
5. Government Employees
2024: $335.00
An applicant for admission as a Government Employee shall be a resident of Canada. In addition, an applicant for admission as a Government Employee shall be employed as their principal occupation by one of the Government of Canada, the Government of one of the provinces or territories of Canada, a municipality or regional municipality in Canada, or any of their agencies [but not by a Crown corporation].
6. Agents in Training
2024: $120.00
An applicant for admission as an Agent in Training shall be a resident of Canada, and shall:
- be pursuing qualification as a patent agent or a trademark agent; and
- have a contractual relationship with a registered patent agent or trademark agent who has agreed to supervise their work as a trainee.
7. Certified Administrators
2024: $170.00
An applicant for admission as a Certified Administrator shall be resident in Canada and shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that he or she has completed, or is in the process of completing, the certification program administered by the Corporation for certification as either a Certified Canadian Trademark Administrator or a Certified Canadian Patent Administrator.
8. Student Membership
2024: $60.00
You are eligible to become a Student member* if you are a resident of Canada, are interested in the objectives of IPIC and are enrolled as a full-time student in a Canadian university or college or are a student-at-law in good standing.
*Subject to IPIC’s By-law and approval by the Board of Directors.
Membership categories available to long-standing IPIC members:
1. Fellows
2024: $525.00
You are eligible to become a Fellow member once you meet the following criteria:
- Are a resident of Canada and have been an Associate for at least seven years; or eligible to have been an Associate for at least seven years, during which time you were either an Associate or an Affiliate member; and,
- as your principal occupation, have been engaged in Canada for at least seven years as a registered patent agent, registered trademark agent or lawyer in the field of intellectual property.
Fellows are entitled to vote at IPIC’s General Meetings.
2. Emeritus Members
2024: $160.00
You are eligible to become an Emeritus Member once you meet the following criteria;
- Have been a Fellow or an Associate;
- Have been a member for at least twenty years;
- Be fully retired from patent, trademark, industrial design and copyright practice; and
- Satisfy the Board of Directors that you will utilize materials sent by the Institute for your own personal use only, as distinguished from professional or other use;
3. Members of Distinction
An individual who will reflect honour and credit upon the Institute may be awarded the title of Member of Distinction if he or she is or has been a member of IPIC. Awarding such Membership shall require a resolution by the Board after consideration of nominations submitted by the Members of the Institute. Members of Distinction shall pay no entrance or other fee but in all other respects shall be subject to the By-laws and Regulations of the Institute. Members of Distinction who have at any time been Fellows shall be deemed for all purposes of the By-laws, except the payment of fees, to be Fellows.
4. Honorary Members
An individual who will reflect honour and credit upon the Institute may be awarded the title of Honorary Member if he or she is not or has not been a member of IPIC. Awarding such Membership shall require a resolution by the Board after consideration of nominations submitted by the Members of the Institute. Honorary Members shall pay no entrance or other fee but in all other respects shall be subject to the By-laws and Policies of the Institute.