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The Workshop aims to promote the understanding of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options for the resolution of intellectual property (IP) and technology disputes. The Workshop is designed for mediators, arbitration and IP lawyers, in-house counsel, patent and trademark attorneys, and business professionals wishing to familiarize themselves with international mediation and arbitration procedures and to receive training as neutrals or party representatives.

One month ago today IPIC took part in World Intellectual Property Day (World IP Day), an annual international campaign that takes place each year on April 26th that celebrates IP and generates awareness of the IP profession and the role that IP rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity.

The IP Village is bringing together leading experts in intellectual property (IP) for their latest joint initiative, the IP Insights panel series! The IP Village is a collaboration of Canada's leading IP organizations. IPIC is thrilled to be part of this important initiative to increase IP awareness, education and use in Canada alongside the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), Global Affairs Trade Commissioner Service (GAC–TCS), the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

On April 26th IPIC and its Educational Foundation celebrate World Intellectual Property Day (World IP Day) 2023! This year’s World IP Day theme is Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity, which aims to celebrate women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs around the world and their imagination, ingenuity and hard work, but also to recognize the significant challenges that they often face in accessing necessary knowledge, skills, resources and support. We encourage all of you to learn more about World IP Day this year’s theme, and to find out how you can recognize and support women in IP by visiting WIPO's World IP Day webpage. 

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.

It is with profound sadness that we share with our members the passing of our dear friend, Shelley Jones. Shelley was an IPIC Fellow and longtime member of the institute for over 22 years, a former member of the IPIC team, and our ongoing EDI Project Consultant. In every capacity and in every role she took on she soared and led by example with grace, professionalism, and optimism. Optimism, that along with her kind spirit, were contagious and an inspiration to all those around her.

The IP Village is bringing together leading experts in intellectual property (IP) for their latest joint initiative, the IP Insights panel series! The IP Village is a collaboration of Canada's leading IP organizations. IPIC is thrilled to be part of this important initiative to increase IP awareness, education and use in Canada alongside the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), Global Affairs Trade Commissioner Service (GAC–TCS), the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

The Roger T. Hughes Future Leader Award is given to an emerging leader/future leader and member of IPIC who has made significant contributions to an IPIC Committee, Community, or other substantial IPIC initiative during the past year. The individual will have demonstrated significant leadership, commitment, and dedication to increasing awareness of IPIC along with the value and future, of the IP profession in Canada.

The IPIC Outstanding Contribution Award aims to recognize an IPIC member who has made a significant contribution and impact to IPIC and/or to the IP profession as a result of their role as a volunteer of the Institute. These individuals have gone above and beyond to help IPIC and/or an IPIC Committee achieve its goal, therefore assisting IPIC achieve its strategic objectives.

The IPIC Member of Distinction Award aims to recognize IP professionals who have made a significant contribution to the Institute over at least 20 consecutive years. For those with more short-term involvement, the unique and impactful nature of the contribution must be emphasized.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Honourable Chrystia Freeland tabled the 2023 federal budget they are calling the “Made-in-Canada Plan.” With the pandemic in the rear-view mirror and Canada now in need of leadership on economic recovery, the budget does very little to support economic growth, and is virtually silent on incentives for Canadian innovative companies who hold intellectual property. 

IPIC wishes to extend our sincere condolences following the passing of Douglas Walter Eggins, a long-time member of the institute for over 47 years and a dedicated IP professional.