IPIC Congratulates this Year’s Foundation Award Winners

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.

In order to be eligible to take the Trademark Agent Qualifying Examination, prospective Canadian trademark agents must have worked for at least 24 months in the area of Canadian trademark law and practice, including preparing and prosecuting trademark applications. There are two parts to the exam that must be successfully passed: Part A which focuses on pre-advertisement issues and Part B which focuses on post-advertisement issues. To pass the exam, a minimum score of 65% on each part of the exam is required.

The Foundation’s Award for the highest mark overall in the 2023 Trademark Agent Qualifying Examination is awarded to Karen Chow. 

Karen is an associate in McCarthy Tétrault’s National Intellectual Property Group in Vancouver. Her practice covers a broad range of intellectual property matters including patents, trademarks, copyright and industrial designs. She has experience in conducting patentability and trademark availability searches, preparing and prosecuting patent and trademark applications, and assisting with opposition and section 45 proceedings. She also provides IP and regulatory assistance on corporate and commercial transactions.

Prior to joining McCarthy Tétrault, Karen practiced at two boutique intellectual property firms in Vancouver. She studied chemistry and sociology at McGill University before obtaining her law degree at the University of Ottawa. Karen was called to the bar of British Columbia in 2019.

In her spare time, Karen enjoys cooking, trying out new recipes, and playing pickleball (poorly) with her husband.

It is an honour to be recognized by IPIC for the Educational Foundation Award for the 2023 Trademark Agent Exam. This is an important milestone in my development as an IP lawyer. This award is not just a reflection of my own efforts, but also of the support and guidance I’ve received from my mentors and colleagues. Their support and encouragement have been invaluable. This award also motivates me to keep growing and challenging myself to be the best that I can in this profession. Thank you to everyone who supported me, and thank you IPIC for this recognition! It means a great deal to me. - Karen Chow, 2024 Educational Foundation Award Recipient

Prospective Canadian patent agents must have worked for at least 24 months in the area of Canadian patent law and practice, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications, in order to be eligible to take the Patent Agent Qualifying Examination. There are four papers that must be successfully passed: Paper A – Drafting, Paper B – Validity, Paper C - Office Practice and Paper D - Infringement

In order to pass the examination a minimum score of 50 out of 100 on each paper, with a minimum aggregate of 240, is required. Scores greater than 60 out of 100 can be carried forward to subsequent years until all papers have been passed.

The J. Edward Maybee Memorial Prize for the highest overall mark in the 2023 patent agent exam is awarded to Mike Myschyshyn.

Mike is an intellectual property lawyer at Gowling WLG's Calgary office. He has experience as a litigator in a wide range of IP disputes and is growing his patent drafting and prosecution practice as a newly appointed patent agent.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys cycling, hiking, and relaxing with family and friends.

I am absolutely thrilled to be the 2024 recipient of the J. Edward Maybee Memorial Prize. This recognition represents not only my dedication and hard work but also the invaluable support and guidance of my mentors, family, and friends. I am humbled by this honor and grateful to be recognized among such talented individuals. - Mike Myschyshyn, 2024 J. Edward Maybee Memorial Prize Recipient

The Marie F. Morency Memorial Prize for the highest mark in Paper A of the Patent Agent Examination was awarded to Alexandre Pagé.

Alexandre is a lawyer and patent agent at Fasken. Alexandre received an undergraduate degree in bioresource engineering at McGill University and completed his civil and J.D. law degrees at the University of Montréal.

His practice focuses on intellectual property matters, and more specifically patent drafting, patent prosecution, and patent validity and infringement issues.

In his spare time, Alex spends most of his time rock climbing around Montréal and sometimes abroad.

I am honoured to receive the Marie F. Morency Memorial Prize for the highest mark in Paper A of the 2023 Patent Agent Examination. I am grateful for the excellent training I received at Robic (where I practiced when I took the exams) and for the support I received from my colleagues and mentors there. It was largely thanks to them that I passed the patent agent exams on my first attempt.  Merci à tou.te.s pour votre aide !  - Alexandre Pagé, 2024 Marie F. Morency Memorial Prize Winner

IPIC offers its sincere congratulations to its members Karen Chow, Mike Myschyshyn, and Alexandre Pagé for their accomplishments.

Click here to learn more about the Patent and Trademark Institute Education Foundation.