News

The Patent and Trademark Institute Education Foundation is a registered charity managed by IPIC that awards prizes to the candidates who obtain the highest marks in the patent and trademark agent exams.

IPIC’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Mary Munro is the first recipient of the Institute’s Outstanding Contribution Award. Ms. Munro received the award on October 1st for having gone above and beyond to help IPIC’s IP Administrators Committee create the Patent and Trademark Administrator Programs, therefore helping IPIC achieve its strategic goals.

At IPIC’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, members voted in a new IPIC Board of Directors for 2020-2021. The Board is composed of nine members: four officers, the immediate past president and four directors. To take into account the diversity of roles existing in the profession, the Board is comprised of IP lawyers, patents agents, trademark agents, litigators and corporate practitioners.

IPIC is pleased to announce that for the first time since the Institute’s inception in 1926, it has elected Stephanie Chong as its first BIPOC President to serve for the 2020-2021 term. The timing of Stephanie’s appointment could not come at a more relevant period in recent history. With an increasing focus on diversity and inclusion on a global scale, it is high time that this initiative be reflected across IPIC’s own Board of Directors.

IPIC wishes to offer its condolences following the passing of June Baigent, a long-time member of the Institute since 1983.

The Business Development Bank of Canada has committed $160-million to help improve Canada’s spotty track record for commercializing intellectual property (IP) by funding young companies trying to capitalize on their ideas.

IPIC wishes to extend its congratulations and recognition to the four applicants who successfully passed the Trademark Administrator Exam on April 22nd, 2020.

IPIC Council has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Conference which was to be held in Whistler, BC from September 30th – October 2nd and hold a virtual event in its place instead.

The Own it. campaign is a bold rallying call to Canadian companies to be fearless and future-focused.

IPIC wishes to offer its sincere condolences following the passing of Past President and Member of Distinction Joan Clark Q.C. on April 8th, 2020.

If you are an IP professional running your own small practice and experiencing a slowdown in work, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a significant announcement today that could help support you and your employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis.

IPIC President Alain Leclerc provides an update on COVID-19 relative to the IP profession and shares what IPIC has been doing to keep its members up to date and informed throughout these uncertain times.