Government launches consultation on regulation of patent and trademark agents

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) (formerly Industry Canada) and CIPO have launched a consultation of importance to the patent and trademark agent professions. This consultation has two components. 

1.            A code of conduct for patent and trademark agents; and

2.            A governance model and disciplinary process

IPIC Council welcomes this consultation and views it as an important step towards a modern governance framework that will allow the profession to maintain its excellence and protect the public interest. 

Comments on the code of conduct must be submitted by June 13, 2016.  Comments on the governance model and disciplinary process must be submitted by July 29, 2016.

IPIC intends to respond to both components of the consultation.

I.             Code of Conduct

ISED and CIPO first want to receive comments about a code of conduct for patent and trademark agents.  It is based on a draft revision of IPIC’s Code of Ethics that was included in the Modernizing the IP Community report published by CIPO in the fall of 2014.

II.            Governance Models

The second part seeks feedback on three models for regulating the patent and trademark agency professions and a disciplinary process. IPIC’s position is clear: to best protect the public interest, patent and trademark agents should be self-governed like virtually all other professionals in Canada. Our submission will provide details of IPIC’s proposed governance framework, which is slightly different from the government’s proposal under Model 3.

If you have questions or suggestions, please write to admin@ipic.ca.