Featured Blog Posts
How to Protect AI‑Generated Code in Canada and the U.S.: Practical IP Strategies for Businesses
Both Canada and the United States currently require meaningful human involvement for AI‑related works to qualify for copyright or patent protection, leaving fully autonomous AI outputs in a legal grey zone. This article explains what that means for AI‑generated code and software, and outlines concrete steps—like documenting human contribution, tightening contracts and NDAs, relying on trade secrets where appropriate, and reviewing AI tool terms—to protect your company’s IP in an evolving regulatory landscape.
How to Protect Intellectual Property in Canada Using Corporate Structures and Legal Planning
Effective IP protection in Canada goes beyond registration—it combines thoughtful corporate structuring with proactive legal planning. By placing key patents, trademarks, and copyrights in a dedicated IP holding company, licensing them to operating entities, using NDAs and confidentiality clauses to safeguard trade secrets, and leveraging federal programs like Canada’s IP Strategy and IP Clinics, businesses can reduce litigation risk, enhance valuation, and create new revenue streams through licensing.
How to Register a Trademark in Canada: Step-by-Step CIPO Guide
Registering a trademark through Canada's Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) protects your brand nationwide. This step-by-step process covers searching existing marks, preparing your application with goods/services descriptions, submitting online or by mail, navigating CIPO examination and publication for opposition, and maintaining your 10-year registration through active commercial use.
What Makes a Trademark Distinctive in Canadian Law?
Distinctiveness is a cornerstone of Canadian trademark law, defining whether a mark can identify your business and differentiate it from others. Explore the foundational elements of distinctiveness, why common terms or descriptive names are rejected, and how unique branding and acquired reputation can help secure your trademark registration.