IP Updates

As open-source software (OSS) continues to expand, businesses and innovators encounter new challenges in protecting their intellectual property (IP). OSS are programs whose source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. Open source is essential in our digital world, driving everything from smartphones to critical infrastructure systems globally. OSS offers flexibility,…

Introduction  With advancements in AI, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has seen a rise in patent applications for AI-assisted inventions. AI can help human inventors by gathering data, processing it faster, and evaluating outcomes, but it also raises unique challenges for patenting. Further, advancements in machine learning and AI are challenging traditional IP…

​​​IPON (Intellectual Property Ontario) is a board-governed provincial agency that provides intellectual property supports and services. IPON was established by the Government of Ontario and designed to help Ontario-based innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and SMEs protect their IP and reach their commercialization potential. IPON helps clients better understand how to maximize the value of IP, strengthen…

What is Trademark?  A trademark is a sign or combination of signs used or proposed to be used by a person to distinguish their goods or services from others. Trademarks protect distinctive elements like words, sounds, or designs that identify a company’s goods or services in the marketplace. In Canada:  Trademarks can be protected without…

Introduction  Climate change mitigation technologies (CCMTs) are critical in the fight against global warming. These technologies aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance carbon sequestration, and promote sustainable energy use. Climate change mitigation technology (CCMT) is a rapidly growing sector aligned with Canada’s government priorities. With significant research and carbon pricing investments, Canada’s clean…

IP strategy: A moat to protect innovations Intellectual Property is “innovation,” serving as the moat for businesses, entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators who bring remarkable ideas to life through groundbreaking research and unique products. Intellectual property is pivotal in unlocking these enterprises’ growth and innovation potential. A robust IP strategy with a comprehensive action plan for…

Canada continues to be a hothouse for innovation, with a surge in significant technological breakthroughs emerging from recent patents filed and granted. These innovations extend diverse industries, from biotechnology and green energy to information technology and advanced manufacturing. This report highlights some of the most groundbreaking Canadian patents, explores their implications for various sectors, and…

What is the Elevate IP program? If you are the owner of a small or medium-sized Canadian business and need assistance with Intellectual Property strategy development and implementation, you may be eligible for financial support in the form of non-dilutive funding from the Government of Canada. Through the ElevateIP program, developed in accordance with the…

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application is a globally recognized patent filing system that enables applicants to seek protection for their inventions in numerous countries. It enables the applicants to file a single patent application and have it assessed by several patent offices worldwide. Despite the manifold advantages of filing a PCT application, it is…

Conducting a prior art search is an imperative measure that must be performed prior to initiating the filing of a patent application. The fundamental objective is to discern any preexisting information or technology that may impact the patentability of the invention. It is crucial to note that a vast majority of products or innovations lack…