tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89465955855713678192024-03-14T18:19:18.288-04:00Canadian Intellectual Property BlogEvgeniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06665377206624381997noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-26240946404643167352023-09-21T15:11:00.027-04:002023-09-21T15:21:52.844-04:00To Translate or not to Translate? MBM Provides General Guide for Businesses Operating in the Province of Québec after June 1, 2025<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEjfnZvQt7-VSa_TnEQVkSpi2U4UA0AWEy_3rMqtFeluDKz3rhVkh3kuavifgKjgpSbySlZ7Q0jQfaADokhgMuATkaKd2FYdT0-zutZNYL256vhFihORuJ-l0nK4E2AP8YHqQqh3XektCIyktvzMapQMO0mUHhTDoLLNrBBQ4_sHjdAcfqYF89-fFXrM/s3872/iStock-510802268.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEjfnZvQt7-VSa_TnEQVkSpi2U4UA0AWEy_3rMqtFeluDKz3rhVkh3kuavifgKjgpSbySlZ7Q0jQfaADokhgMuATkaKd2FYdT0-zutZNYL256vhFihORuJ-l0nK4E2AP8YHqQqh3XektCIyktvzMapQMO0mUHhTDoLLNrBBQ4_sHjdAcfqYF89-fFXrM/s320/iStock-510802268.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you sell products or have public signage in the Province of Québec, then please consider what changes, if any, will be necessary to the product inscriptions/packaging and signage to ensure compliance with the amendments to the Charter of the French Language, c-11, which will come into force on June 1, 2025.<br /><br />To assist with your review, MBM has prepared the following flow charts:</span><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKw388zD58XAtsYLnQYkArh-SZ2kupwL_l4V0ugj21pjJA3eZLuc-piZmbJgBc_SC1WhLd1qNSG1yU0kddr44FhcTYBrl3EwbHWWW_ERTSRuyNhpKBjdz0O049VJ8mJEkBJshwb7h4IiaD86cxc5GmDSMZiDVysApkAGkQ_0PFw90ExN7hTtzF7b05Uw/s2667/MBM%20French%20language%20flowchart%202023_Page_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="1500" height="745" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKw388zD58XAtsYLnQYkArh-SZ2kupwL_l4V0ugj21pjJA3eZLuc-piZmbJgBc_SC1WhLd1qNSG1yU0kddr44FhcTYBrl3EwbHWWW_ERTSRuyNhpKBjdz0O049VJ8mJEkBJshwb7h4IiaD86cxc5GmDSMZiDVysApkAGkQ_0PFw90ExN7hTtzF7b05Uw/w420-h745/MBM%20French%20language%20flowchart%202023_Page_1.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZW-RCF9dxFJEwJlS5Y86QdCVCaurdxXwAsQGCdbQ11dfZ4W9k0dP2V7yvd71d61nO5edsUJCtj2o4_wQw0gTvKb7mfzl5WwxyhPiqxypgma78QAyIQSKT4V3pLonErwLjkZg3_nvBYolubymEuGCcOHzYkBWL3whPxUjtPj_ctb8s0d0WbRwleIDIB0/s2667/MBM%20French%20language%20flowchart%202023_Page_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="1500" height="728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZW-RCF9dxFJEwJlS5Y86QdCVCaurdxXwAsQGCdbQ11dfZ4W9k0dP2V7yvd71d61nO5edsUJCtj2o4_wQw0gTvKb7mfzl5WwxyhPiqxypgma78QAyIQSKT4V3pLonErwLjkZg3_nvBYolubymEuGCcOHzYkBWL3whPxUjtPj_ctb8s0d0WbRwleIDIB0/w409-h728/MBM%20French%20language%20flowchart%202023_Page_2.jpg" width="409" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>MBM has developed creative solutions to minimize product inscriptions/packaging and signage changes and yet still be in compliance with the amendments to the Charter of the French Language, c-11, which will come into force on June 1, 2025. The flow charts are provided only as a general guide based on known amendments to the Charter of the French Language, c-11. Future amendments or regulations may impact the information provided above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you would like to learn more or require any advice, please contact:<span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/scott_miller" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Scott Miller, Co-Managing Partner, Head of the Litigation Department</span><br /></a></span>T: 613.801.1099<span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>E:<span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailm: <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy62333 = 'smiller' + '@'; addy62333 = addy62333 + 'mbm' + '.' + 'com'; document.write('<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy62333 + '\'>'); document.write(addy62333); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n </script><script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('<span style=\'display: none;\'>'); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('</'); document.write('span>'); //--> </script>" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></a><a href="mailto:smiller@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">smiller@mbm.com</a></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/dmeltzer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Deborah Meltzer, Trademark Agent & Associate Lawyer</span><br /></a></span></span>T: 613.801.1077<span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>E: <span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailm: <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy99298 = 'dmeltzer' + '@'; addy99298 = addy99298 + 'mbm' + '.' + 'com'; document.write('<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy99298 + '\'>'); document.write(addy99298); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n </script><script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('<span style=\'display: none;\'>'); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('</'); document.write('span>'); //--> </script>" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:dmeltzer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dmeltzer@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</i></div></div><br /></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-67907418309688988322023-08-23T15:42:00.008-04:002023-08-23T15:46:39.477-04:00CIPO Fees to Increase by 25% in 2024 and Expansion of the Definition of “Small Entity”<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfOVTCrvprzJiZpiLbuT8jfkkHvl37RyOmgAo9BFtUxBBUyID2fmpBzKrD525fYx3ehTqV5dHvd3BdnFpt2S7mbC6RkL14KWpDgnBqQV0IDu0Gur1QkFk4U_6KPA1DcIpDhuLW-h_81KoUjnZ1CiSdnsltNZetV4tFhZZZuFi6UCarS3whANYYFTbJUs/s1401/windows-10-cumulative-update.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1401" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfOVTCrvprzJiZpiLbuT8jfkkHvl37RyOmgAo9BFtUxBBUyID2fmpBzKrD525fYx3ehTqV5dHvd3BdnFpt2S7mbC6RkL14KWpDgnBqQV0IDu0Gur1QkFk4U_6KPA1DcIpDhuLW-h_81KoUjnZ1CiSdnsltNZetV4tFhZZZuFi6UCarS3whANYYFTbJUs/w373-h268/windows-10-cumulative-update.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><br /><div><span face="Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-size: 14px;">The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (“CIPO”) has announced that effective January 1, 2024, most official fees will be increasing by 25%. On the patent side, the increase in the fees will be applicable to standard entity size. At the same time, the definition of “small entity” in the Patent Rules will be broadened from the current 50 employees to fewer than 100 employees, which would mean that more companies can fall into the small entity category and thus utilize the lower official fees. Canada remains an important jurisdiction in North America for IP filings and is further reinforced by rapid population growth, surpassing the 40 million mark in 2023. The above changes are detailed below with some recommendations for saving on official fees.</span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Significant CIPO Fee Increase</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Effective January 1, 2024, a one-time 25% fee increase will be implemented, impacting most patent, industrial design, trademark and copyright fees. With respect to patent matters, this increase will not apply to businesses qualifying as a “small entity” under the Patent Rules. Thus, small entity patent applicants will only experience CIPO’s regular annual fee increase in 2024.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Below are a few examples of changes in CIPO’s fees (rounded up):</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: medium; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 633px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border: 1pt solid windowtext; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 361.25pt;" valign="top" width="482"><p align="center" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PATENTS</span></strong></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></strong></p></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CIPO 2023 Fees (in CAD)</span></strong></p></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CIPO 2024 Fees (in CAD)</span></strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: medium; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 633px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border: 1pt solid windowtext; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 361.25pt;" valign="top" width="482"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Filing a patent application<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 14.2667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><ul style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; list-style: outside url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif") none; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Small entity fee</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Standard fee</span></li></ul></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$211</span></p><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$422</span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$225</span></p><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$555</span><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p></td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border: 1pt solid windowtext; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 361.25pt;" valign="top" width="482"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Filing an Examination request</span></p><ul style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; list-style: outside url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif") none; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Small entity fee</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Standard fee</span></li></ul></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$408</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$816</span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$450</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$1,110</span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p></td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border: 1pt solid windowtext; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 361.25pt;" valign="top" width="482"><p align="center" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TRADEMARKS</span></strong></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></strong></p></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CIPO 2023 Fees (in CAD)</span></span></strong></p></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CIPO 2024 Fees (in CAD)</span></span></strong></p></td></tr><tr style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border: 1pt solid windowtext; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 361.25pt;" valign="top" width="482"><ul style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; list-style: outside url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif") none; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li align="center" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Filing a trademark application in one class of goods or services</span></li></ul></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$348</span></td><td style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-image: initial; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 5.4pt; vertical-align: baseline; width: 56.7pt;" valign="top" width="76"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">$458</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A complete listing of fee increases relating to patents, industrial designs, trademarks, copyrights, and other fees can be found on CIPO’s website <a href="https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canadian-intellectual-property-office/en/what-you-need-know-about-upcoming-changes-cipos-fees" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Expansion of the definition of “Small Entity” under the Patent Rules</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Another important change is the broadening of the definition of “small entity” in the Patent Rules. This change is important because entities that meet the definition of small entity and who submit a small entity declaration are entitled to a 50% reduction of some CIPO patent-related fees.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Currently, a “small entity” is defined as a university or an entity that employs 50 or fewer employees at the time the patent application was filed or at the national phrase entry date for an international PCT application, but does not include:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(a) an entity that is controlled directly or indirectly by an entity, other than a university, that has more than 50 employees, or</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(b) an entity that has transferred or licensed, or has an obligation other than a contingent obligation to transfer or license, any right or interest in a claimed invention to an entity, other than a university, that has more than 50 employees</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The definition of “small entity” will be amended effective January 1, 2024, to increase the maximum number of employees from 50 employees to fewer than 100 employees. Thus, more companies will be able to qualify for the small entity category and, as a result, utilize the lower small entity fees. Please note that small entity status is determined at the time of filing (or at the national phrase entry date) and is only determined once.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This amendment does not entitle newly qualifying small entities to a partial refund of fees paid before January 1, 2024. The amendment is, however, allowing applicants who had more than 50 employees but less than 100 employees at the time of filing (or at the national phrase entry date) to start paying future fees at the small entity rate after January 1, 2024, provided all other small entity conditions were met when the patent was filed, and a small entity declaration is submitted.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recommendations</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</strong>.</span> As a result of these changes, individuals and businesses are encouraged to review their IP portfolios with their IP professional for possible new filings, examination requests and renewal/maintenance fees that can be done before January 1, 2024, to take advantage of the lower 2023 rates before the 25% increase takes effect.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2.</strong></span> Additionally, applicants should also review with their IP professional whether they will qualify as of January 1, 2024, for the expanded small entity status.</p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #656565;">For more information, please contact:</span><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br /><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/randall_marusyk" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Randy Marusyk, Co-Managing Partner</span><br /></span></a><span style="color: #656565;">T: 613.801.1088</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="color: #656565;">E:</span><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailto:rmarusyk@mbm.com" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">rmarusyk</span><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">@mbm.com</span></a></span></span><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br /><span style="color: #656565;"> </span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-42309222646074543922022-08-24T11:34:00.004-04:002022-08-24T11:34:41.124-04:00MBM Prevails as Federal Court Awards Unprecedented 50% Lump Sum Award of Costs in Trademark Dispute<p> </p><div class="content" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 726px;"><div class="item-page" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyidDaPQ2-DhrRFedddbWhH1ciPt5jor3WcrFehhv_11Del4PIhhiGayo_-dI5B2R7VH5W8GU9T9zeRMO4XJFdMq0WLljIUvjHwrO9WI6igym1_zaTjcsOJjiK6AFdV_0j3FluD8f10GZ0eOIysv5Du53-iNiWk4A3rf6O2AX6yiTH4QrSMkc9R-NC/s580/60BPcm48nQ-580x365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="580" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyidDaPQ2-DhrRFedddbWhH1ciPt5jor3WcrFehhv_11Del4PIhhiGayo_-dI5B2R7VH5W8GU9T9zeRMO4XJFdMq0WLljIUvjHwrO9WI6igym1_zaTjcsOJjiK6AFdV_0j3FluD8f10GZ0eOIysv5Du53-iNiWk4A3rf6O2AX6yiTH4QrSMkc9R-NC/s320/60BPcm48nQ-580x365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #444444;">On August 15, 2022, the Federal Court of Canada issued its decision with respect to costs in Dragona Carpet Supplies Missisauga Inc. v Dragona Carpet Supplies Ltd and Flooreno Building Supplies Inc., 2022 FC 1200, ordering one of the highest lump sum costs ever awarded in a trademark dispute, representing 50% of aggregate fees incurred, plus disbursements. <br /><br />The decision was the culmination of a factually complicated family dispute related to the right to use and own the trademark “DRAGONA” in specified pockets of the GTA. The Defendants/Plaintiffs by Counterclaim were wholly successful in (1) defending against the Plaintiff’s motion for summary trial with respect to its claim of passing off, and (2) their own motion for summary trial with respect to their claim for expungement of three of the Plaintiff’s registered “DRAGONA” trademarks. <br /><br />Ultimately, the Federal Court preferred the evidence of the Defendants. Although there was disagreement on the majority of the facts presented throughout the proceedings, the parties unequivocally agreed that the Defendant, Dragona Carpet Supplies Ltd., was the first to use the trademark DRAGONA. Based on the evidence, there was no basis for the Plaintiff to argue that it was entitled to the trademark registrations. In granting an exceptional lump sum cost award of 50% to the Defendants, the Court emphasized that in light of the facts, the Plaintiff ought never to have maintained the legitimacy of the trademark registrations, much less, waited until the commencement of the hearing to abandon its position. <br /><br />This precedent-setting decision not only expanded the law on concurrent-use passing off and care and control in the context of a license, but further substantiates the Federal Court’s recent trend of opting for lump sum cost awards in lieu of the tariff, which represents a more reasonable and realistic recovery of legal fees for the successful party. <br /><br />For more information please contact:</span><br /></span><div class="content" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 726px;"><div class="item-page" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/scott_miller" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Scott Miller, Co-Managing Partner, Head of the Litigation Department</span><br /></a></span>T: 613.801.1099<span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>E:<span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailm: <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy82937 = 'smiller' + '@'; addy82937 = addy82937 + 'mbm' + '.' + 'com'; document.write('<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy82937 + '\'>'); document.write(addy82937); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n </script><script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('<span style=\'display: none;\'>'); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('</'); document.write('span>'); //--> </script>" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></a><a href="mailto:smiller@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">smiller@mbm.com</a></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/dmeltzer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Deborah Meltzer, Trademark Agent & Associate Lawyer</span><br /></a></span></span>T: 613.801.1077<span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>E: <span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailm: <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy32744 = 'dmeltzer' + '@'; addy32744 = addy32744 + 'mbm' + '.' + 'com'; document.write('<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy32744 + '\'>'); document.write(addy32744); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n </script><script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('<span style=\'display: none;\'>'); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('</'); document.write('span>'); //--> </script>" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:dmeltzer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dmeltzer@mbm.com</a></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This </em></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property </em></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out </em></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to MBM for a free consultation.</em></div><div class="itp-social-buttons-box" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="itp-sbb-bothl" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="itp-sb-left" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://digg.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbm.com%2Fen%2Fnews-and-resources%2Fnewsletters%2F12-news%2F346-mbm-prevails-as-federal-court-awards-unprecedented-50-lump-sum-award-of-costs-in-trademark-dispute&title=MBM%20Prevails%20as%20Federal%20Court%20Awards%20Unprecedented%2050%25%20Lump%20Sum%20Award%20of%20Costs%20in%20Trademark%20Dispute" style="border: 0px; 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font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbm.com%2Fen%2Fnews-and-resources%2Fnewsletters%2F12-news%2F346-mbm-prevails-as-federal-court-awards-unprecedented-50-lump-sum-award-of-costs-in-trademark-dispute&title=MBM%20Prevails%20as%20Federal%20Court%20Awards%20Unprecedented%2050%25%20Lump%20Sum%20Award%20of%20Costs%20in%20Trademark%20Dispute" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="blank" title="Submit to LinkedIn"><img alt="Submit to LinkedIn" src="http://www.mbm.com/plugins/content/itpsocialbuttons/images/classy/linkedin.png" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-87157715820537845082022-06-22T13:47:00.048-04:002022-06-22T14:58:22.409-04:00New Trademark Laws For Québec – What You Need To Know <p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfwkOdcCdRUbWR-zGHJ7U4kyuAg6PTS9mVLW96N_4CX624KUgD7SvJpcYI8Q7Y3-O0XjjcfFOsJN0mpmdsQK835B1vs16iDitzehTwpC43yK72qhvv47Xa_U_ZjQ1QDwG5OR8s4KIj3sfOY7o7XAuIbFMMieWR7EsHEYT0eGTJjHqgDs6dH1eEWKk/s1600/law.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfwkOdcCdRUbWR-zGHJ7U4kyuAg6PTS9mVLW96N_4CX624KUgD7SvJpcYI8Q7Y3-O0XjjcfFOsJN0mpmdsQK835B1vs16iDitzehTwpC43yK72qhvv47Xa_U_ZjQ1QDwG5OR8s4KIj3sfOY7o7XAuIbFMMieWR7EsHEYT0eGTJjHqgDs6dH1eEWKk/s320/law.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">In approximately three years or less,
the </span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA">Québec</span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA"> </span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Government’s newly adopted <i>Bill 96</i>,
<i>An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec </i>will
go into force. Bill 96 will have a significant impact on the use of English
trademarks in the Province of </span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA">Québec</span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">.
For example, whereas in the past, both unregistered and registered trademarks
did not need to be translated into French, under Bill 96, only registered
trademarks will be exempt from translation into French. Currently, it takes
approximately two years for a trademark application to mature to registration
in Canada. As such, it is imperative businesses review their trademark
portfolios and consider which trademarks ought to be filed for registration to
ensure continued use in the Province of </span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA">Québec</span></span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="color: #666666; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span> </span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Present
Rules in Québec:</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Promotional
Material - Packaging</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">At
present, a “recognized trademark” is exempt from translation requirements in Québec.
A recognized trademark includes a registered trademark, an applied-for
trademark with a pending application, or a common law trademark. As such,
unless the English trademark has been registered in French, it is not necessary
to translate the English trademark registered or common law (unregistered) on
packaging offered in Québec into French.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Signage</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA">Currently,
in Québec, outside signage, inside signage that is seen outside, mall signage
and/or signage on a pole/column (with some exceptions) displaying an English
registered or common law (unregistered) trademark does not need to be
translated into French. However, if the equivalent French trademark is a
registered trademark, then the French trademark must be used on the signage. In
any event, if there is only an English trademark, unlike packaging or promotional
material, the signage must have “sufficient presence” in French and include: </span><a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">• A generic term or a description of
the products or services;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">• A slogan; or<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">• Any other term or indication favouring
the display of information pertaining to the products or services to the
benefit of consumers or persons frequenting the site (location).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="background: white;">The “sufficient
presence” of French means that it should be displayed with </span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">permanent
visibility and legibility in the same visual field as the non-French mark,
although not necessary to be present side-by-side, in the same number, in the
same materials or in the same size.<a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span>[2]</span></span></span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">Exception:
If the English trademark is displayed on a pole/column and there are more than
two trademarks on the pole/column then the signage does not need to disclose
the generic term, slogan or other terms in French.</span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif""> </span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"">The typical situation would be the external
signage of the parking lot entrance for an outdoor mall.</span><a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-CA">[3]</span></span></span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span></b><b><u><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Bill
96 – New Requirements in Québec for French in Trademarks:</span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">When
Bill 96 goes into effect, the scope of the “recognized trademark” exemption is
greatly reduced. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA">First,
</span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="background: white;">only
non-French <u>registered</u> trademarks will be exempt and not need to be
translated into French. As such, an unregistered (i.e., applied-for or common
law) English trademark will need to be accompanied by its French equivalent on commercial
advertising and public signage.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA">Second,
even if a non-French trademark is registered but is used on public signs and
posters visible from the outside of a premise, the signage must still have a generic
term, slogan or other term in French marked predominately in French.</span><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="background: white;"> </span></span><a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a><span face="Arial, "sans-serif""> <span lang="EN-CA">Predominantly means that </span></span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="background: white;">the space allotted to the French text must
be at least twice as large as the space allotted to the non-French text, or the
characters used in the French text must be at least twice as large as those
used in the non-French text.<a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">[5]</span></span></span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><u><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Implications of the New Québec
Language Laws:</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">It
is expected that the newly adopted Québec language laws will be in force in
three years or less. Currently, it takes
approximately two years for a trademark application to mature to registration
in Canada. As such, if you offer goods and/or services in Québec and do not
want to run afoul of the new Québec language laws, then it is imperative for you
to review your trademark portfolios and consider a tailored solution to meet
your business goals (for example, filing trademark applications with the
Canadian Intellectual Property Office <u>immediately</u>). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Notably,
these implications may not only affect English language trademarks but also
trademarks using other non-French languages and potentially “coined” words.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">For expert assistance
with any issues pertaining to Trademarks, please reach out to MBM for a free
consultation:</span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/scott_miller" target="_blank"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #ff8000;">Scott
Miller, Co-Managing Partner, Head of the Litigation Department</span><br />
</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #666666; padding: 0in;">T: </span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #666666;">613.801.1099</span><br /><span style="color: #666666;">
E:</span></span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #ff8800; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><a href="mailto:smiller@mbm.com"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #ff8800; padding: 0in;">smiller@mbm.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: #ff8800;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #ff8800; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/gwang" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff9100; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Fanqi (Grace) Wang, Associate Lawyer </span></a></span></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #666666; padding: 0in;">T: </span><span face="Arial, "sans-serif"" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #666666;">613.801.1072</span><span style="color: #ff8800;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #666666;">E:</span> <span style="color: red;"><a href="mailto:gwang@mbm.com" target="_blank">gwang@mbm.com</a></span><span style="color: #ff5e00;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: #ff5e00; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #656565; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span></p><div>
<hr size="1" style="text-align: left;" width="33%" />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]-->
</span><div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span>[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><i>Regulation
respecting the language of commerce and business</i>, CQLR c C-11, r 9, ss
25(4) and 25.1.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span>[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span face=""Arial","sans-serif""> <span style="background: white; color: #666666;">CQLR c
C-11, r 9, s 25.3.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 等线; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #666666;">CQLR c C-11, r
9, s 25.2(1). </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span>[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span face=""Arial","sans-serif""> </span><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Bill 96, <i>An
Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec</i>, 1st
Sess, 42nd Leg, Québec, 2021, cl 47 (assented to 1 June 2022).</span><span face=""Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///J:/Editorial%20Calendar/Articles/2022%20articles/Articles%20in%20progress/NEW%20TRADEMARK%20LAWS%20FOR%20QU%C3%89BEC-Bill%2096%20Article%20-%20Final.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span>[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span face=""Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <span style="background: white; color: #666666;">CQLR c
C-11, r 11.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-31335246483177354432022-06-21T13:17:00.001-04:002022-06-21T13:17:04.379-04:00Important CIPO Update - Date Announced for Amendments to Canadian Patent Rules<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH2Ps1vn7Hm1KOsOYTXFZ1N0peKo2-Tc_jxOd90TD5RU4g6BhG_DQIRIeSY2P55FzXtYUuEU58a243sQb58sbZkbI2KGM1rmrhfcUJyPemVjOmO1rSbe5IawIqteT-IK9RhhLhBnglUOxVNQvgW-WjH3n-_JC1Hq2EVU1qIJXhMg2hQCFTD5ic4S9/s872/iStock_000016788678Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="872" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH2Ps1vn7Hm1KOsOYTXFZ1N0peKo2-Tc_jxOd90TD5RU4g6BhG_DQIRIeSY2P55FzXtYUuEU58a243sQb58sbZkbI2KGM1rmrhfcUJyPemVjOmO1rSbe5IawIqteT-IK9RhhLhBnglUOxVNQvgW-WjH3n-_JC1Hq2EVU1qIJXhMg2hQCFTD5ic4S9/s320/iStock_000016788678Small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) just announced that the new amendments to the Canadian Patent Rules to ‘streamline examination', including excess claim fees, will be coming into effect on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">October 3, 2022. The changes will include a $100/per claim fee for applications with more than 20 claims and a fee for continued examination after three office actions equal to the original examination fee. The amendments also add steps such as 'notice of conditional allowance'.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As a result of these changes, we advise our clients to review their patent portfolios to determine which patents have over 20 claims and request examination for these patents before the October 3, 2022 date to avoid paying the access claim fees, as they would apply at the examination stage after this date.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We will follow up this announcement with more comprehensive coverage of the new changes to Canadian Patent Rules - stay tuned!</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/claire_palmer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Claire Palmer, Ph.D., Senior Patent Agent</span></a><br />T: 613.801.0450<br />E: <span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailto:%3Ca%20href=" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailm: <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy89680 = 'cpalmer' + '@'; addy89680 = addy89680 + 'mbm' + '.' + 'com'; document.write('<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy89680 + '\'>'); document.write(addy89680); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n </script><script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('<span style=\'display: none;\'>'); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('</'); document.write('span>'); //--> </script>" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="mailto:cpalmer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">cpalmer@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></em></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.<br /></em></p>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-25919991506967487402022-06-21T13:09:00.003-04:002022-06-21T13:10:56.851-04:00Health Canada to Draft New Patented Medicine Prices Review Board Guidelines in the Wake of Pharmaceutical Victories<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_bwOuvWg-WZUkY07tOXeQt0UrYln3hzKwbfjwDpgXm4FWSNKIbN997CIfKTXq1Gu91497iJCFJEWGBC5IQ9NyiEX2sWgqPwC_Mevf208swTuUjvkaaT6xzyDy0fPtcSCjn7J7WFRQf0jVPgoxb_IKpMuB4ttaxAp8rPbg7cNim9IeZvdtVe7w2_S/s3126/pexels-freestocksorg-143654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3126" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_bwOuvWg-WZUkY07tOXeQt0UrYln3hzKwbfjwDpgXm4FWSNKIbN997CIfKTXq1Gu91497iJCFJEWGBC5IQ9NyiEX2sWgqPwC_Mevf208swTuUjvkaaT6xzyDy0fPtcSCjn7J7WFRQf0jVPgoxb_IKpMuB4ttaxAp8rPbg7cNim9IeZvdtVe7w2_S/w492-h328/pexels-freestocksorg-143654.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><span face="Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-size: 14px;">Canada’s Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) is a quasi-judicial body that has authority under the Patent Act to protect and inform Canadians “by ensuring that the prices of patented medicines sold in Canada are not excessive and by reporting on pharmaceutical trends”.</span><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span face="Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-size: 14px;">[1]</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Two recent decisions<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[2] from Canadian appellant courts surrounding the scope of the PMPRB’s authority under the Patent Act represent victories for the pharmaceutical industry, sending a strong signal that the PMPRB does not have the jurisdiction to consider consumer protection or general regulations of drug pricing in its determination of “excessive” pricing.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In response to these recent appellant decisions, the Canadian Minister of Health announced in April that there will be “a new and different set of guidelines” prepared for consultation in the coming months. Notably, these amendments will not include the proposed economic regulatory factors for drug pricing nor the net price disclosure requirements held to be unconstitutional by the Quebec Court of Appeal.<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[3] The Minister of Health also stated that Health Canada will be implementing the “new basket of comparator countries” as an amendment to the Patented Medicines Regulations, which will come into force on July 1, 2022.<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[4] This amendment removes the US and Switzerland and adds Japan, Norway, Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands as comparator countries.<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[5]</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Importantly, while rights holders will need to begin reporting price information in accordance with the new comparator countries beginning on July 1, 2022, there will be a temporary period during which no guidelines will be in effect. During this period, the PMPRB will be holding expedited written consultation on what price tests should be applied, the details of which will be communicated once the new draft guidelines have been published in the Canadian Gazette. Once the new guidelines are finalized, rights holders will be provided with a reasonable period to become compliant.<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[6] Although the PMPRB is aiming to have these new draft guidelines published in a timely manner, no firm time frame has been established.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This response by the Canadian government should benefit pharmaceutical companies by ensuring that the PMPRB does not exceed its authority by considering consumer protection or general pricing regulations in its determination of “excessive” pricing. In the meantime, we anxiously await the release of the new PMPRB guidelines.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/claire_palmer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Claire Palmer, Ph.D., Senior Patent Agent</span></a><br />T: 613.801.0450<br />E: <span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailto:%3Ca%20href=" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailm: <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy29469 = 'cpalmer' + '@'; addy29469 = addy29469 + 'mbm' + '.' + 'com'; document.write('<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy29469 + '\'>'); document.write(addy29469); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n </script><script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('<span style=\'display: none;\'>'); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('</'); document.write('span>'); //--> </script>" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="mailto:cpalmer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">cpalmer@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Carly Horvath<span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, Articling Student</span><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/kay_palmer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span>T: 613.801.0456<span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>E: <a href="mailto:%%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy44663%20=%20'20chorvath'%20+%20'@';%20addy44663%20=%20addy44663%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy44663%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy44663);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="mailto:chorvath@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">chorvath@mbm.com</a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="clear: both;" width="33%" /><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[1] <a href="http://pmprb-cepmb.gc.ca/home" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="http://pmprb-cepmb.gc.ca/home" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://pmprb-cepmb.gc.ca/home</a></p></div><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p href="http://citoyens.soquij.qc.ca/php/decision.php?ID=D4645C49419BC3C0E84BF79C942B2CFF&" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[2] <a href="https://decisions.fca-caf.gc.ca/fca-caf/decisions/en/item/500849/index.do" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alexion Pharmaceuticals v. Canada (Attorney General) 2021 FCA 157</a> <br /><a href="http://citoyens.soquij.qc.ca/php/decision.php?ID=D4645C49419BC3C0E84BF79C942B2CFF&;captchaToken=HFeW1lahRCCC4AK11QV0dBVgwiITwAaBBnCz4heSgSGQ4wHDR5MxgieDplezZMc0xgC2sCHR5nHR4TZHNlXhoaDA4xT34kfVhWblV3JXsgNS1vXHM6XyZAaxQyTQkWflxMTT09S15SVjBQdnI9JF9bUysBVB1ZajwSWA04exRDGSUGfAFmex9nCGwoJ1t0HBgSBj8nDSxkaXEjHDAsYDxibzt1I34bLhwmbXwCCh1mZ1VXP0RTa2kYfWB3QGlecQ1aX2JmCjBhKXs1aQ" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Merck Canada Inc. vs. Attorney General of Canada 2022 QCCA 240</a> </p></div><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[3] “<a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/patented-medicine-prices-review/services/legislation/about-guidelines/response-statement-minister-health.html" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Update – PMPRB Response to the April 14, 2022 statement from Minister of Health on the Coming-into-Force of the 2019 Regulations Amending the Patented Medicines Regulations</a>” (April 22, 2022).</p></div><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[4] Office of Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, “<a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2022/04/statement-from-minister-of-health-on-the-coming-into-force-of-the-regulations-amending-the-patented-medicines-regulations.html" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Statement from Minister of Health on the Coming-into-Force of the Regulations Amending the Patented Medicines Regulations</a>” (April 14, 2022).</p></div><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[5] “<a href="https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2019/2019-08-21/html/sor-dors298-eng.html" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Regulations Amending the Patented Medicines Regulations (Additional Factors and Information Reporting Requirements): SOR/2019-298</a>” Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 153, Number 17.</p></div><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/343-health-canada-to-draft-new-patented-medicine-prices-review-board-guidelines-in-the-wake-of-pharmaceutical-victories#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[6] Office of Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, supra note 4.</p></div></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-63570290843587767142021-11-15T13:08:00.024-05:002021-11-15T14:35:20.512-05:00Conference Posters and Materials: Beware! They Can Constitute Prior Art<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiei-38j9rSKclo9r90KWMtx7VG_5Hot0WSiwKi4rRKRKZiaMNiwykpLjaVXjIqpL1x6TSJfVHDq5HF9C5g3furD_4wquyB0VT_MFlTI_eQgJkAEqjyzhzCqKv5gjdB_9bcOKDZIo9Tavz_5Y--UySxjG0pNF996jxKxavIW-qSueKmTfxk8irQROEj=s1500" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="1500" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiei-38j9rSKclo9r90KWMtx7VG_5Hot0WSiwKi4rRKRKZiaMNiwykpLjaVXjIqpL1x6TSJfVHDq5HF9C5g3furD_4wquyB0VT_MFlTI_eQgJkAEqjyzhzCqKv5gjdB_9bcOKDZIo9Tavz_5Y--UySxjG0pNF996jxKxavIW-qSueKmTfxk8irQROEj=s320" width="320" /></a>In the academic world, it is common for researchers to attend and present their findings at conferences. Papers presented will typically end up as part of conference handouts or available online for future use. PowerPoint slides used in presentations are also sometimes published or distributed. Posters are often set up where attendees may view them. Conversations between researchers happen after presentations, and at numerous coffee breaks and networking events. In the publish or perish world of academia, conferences provide one of the best venues to present your ideas and research and meet with like-minded people.</p></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Similarly, in the corporate world tradeshows are often used to show off products and demonstrate their features and capabilities to potential customers. Trade show booths often include demonstration systems, brochures, and marketing presentations that are only available for the two or three days of the show. Copies of brochures and presentations may be saved or may be destroyed afterwards.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Unfortunately, what is good for the sharing of information is often not good for the patenting of inventions that arise from the research and products presented at these conferences. The subject matter of a patent claim must not have been previously disclosed, and the invention must not be obvious to a person skilled in the art or science to which it pertains<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/342-conference-posters-and-materials-beware-they-can-constitute-prior-art#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[1]. Conference presentations, presentation slides, and posters can all be prior art, whether they come from an inventor or someone else, and can prevent you from patenting your inventions.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Posters are an interesting case in that they may often be displayed for just a few hours, be viewed by passersby, and usually do not become part of the published conference proceedings. They are often untraceable or destroyed later. They often will not contain enough information to prevent an invention from being novel, but nevertheless may form part of the state of the art that must be considered when determining if an invention contains an inventive step.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In <a href="http://canlii.ca/t/j7t40" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Biogen Canada Inc. v. Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc.</i>, 2020 FC 621</a>, a poster was presented at a conference in Baltimore in 2002, 18 years previous. The poster was available to the court but had only been presented for a short time at the conference, and in the intervening years could not have been found even with a reasonably diligent search. Nevertheless, expert testimony established that the poster was indeed genuine and therefore its contents formed part of the state of the art in 2002 for determining obviousness of the patent claims in question. The poster, together with information found in other sources of prior art, were enough to find the patent claims in question obvious and invalid. This case is interesting since a poster, only presented for a short time at the conference and thereafter not being available, was used to establish the state of the prior art 18 years ago.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In <a href="http://canlii.ca/t/gwtf1" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mediatube Corp. v. Bell Canada</i>, 2017 FC 6</a> the plaintiff alleged that the defendant’s Fibe TV service could be modified to infringe its patents. Bell argued that all limitations of the relevant patent claims had been disclosed in a number of sources, including brochures and prototype systems that had been presented at the SuperComm tradeshow in June 1998, 19 years previous. Brochures were available to the court. Mediatube argued that the brochure was only disclosed at the tradeshow and could not be considered to have been available to the public as it could not later be found in a reasonably diligent search by a skilled person. With the help of expert testimony, the court decided that the brochures and presentations of the systems, despite only being available for a short time, were part of the state of the art at the time and could be considered when determining the validity of Mediatube’s patent claims.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On the other hand, in <a href="http://canlii.ca/t/2fwwv" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Valence Technology, Inc. v. Phostech Lithium Inc.</i>, 2011 FC 174</a>, the defendant was challenging the validity of plaintiff’s patents. Phostech asserted that conference publications, presentations, and posters presented twelve years previous were prior art to at least some of the patent claims. The presenter had also had discussions while at the conference. The poster had since been destroyed and could not be presented to the court. When defining the common general knowledge at the key date the judge decided to exclude the presentations, posters, and any discussions that may have happened. Though not stated, this may have been because the poster had been destroyed and that there were no experts to testify to its contents or importance.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is difficult to determine in advance if a poster will later be found to form part of the state of the art when considering patent validity. For prior art, such as a poster, that may only be presented for a few hours at a scientific or industry conference, it is uncertain whether it can be considered part of the body of prior art of which a person skilled in the art could be said to possess, especially since it may not be found later even through a reasonably diligent search. Like any disclosure, the best practice is to:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1.</b> Review all public disclosures, even those that are short-lived and will be unavailable later.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2.</b> Be careful what kind of information you put on a poster. Try to use more general information on all conference materials if possible.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3.</b> If you must disclose detailed information, restrict any disclosures to individuals or groups in a non-public space under NDA.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4.</b> File a provisional or utility patent application before the event.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5.</b> Review and document what others present. Smartphones make it easy.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Better to be safe than sorry!</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are considering filing a patent and worried about your conference/event disclosure, please feel free to contact MBM for a free consultation.<span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy32148%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy32148%20=%20addy32148%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy32148%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy32148);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a></span></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/dfraser" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">David Fraser, Patent Agent</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.0169<br />E: <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy16201%20=%20'dfraser'%20+%20'@';%20addy16201%20=%20addy16201%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy16201%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy16201);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:dfraser@mbm.com" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dfraser@mbm.com</a></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</i></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></i></p><hr align="left" size="1" style="clear: both;" width="33%" /><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/342-conference-posters-and-materials-beware-they-can-constitute-prior-art#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[1] Canadian Patent Act 28.2 and 28.3. <a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/342-conference-posters-and-materials-beware-they-can-constitute-prior-art#docCont" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/P-4/page-10.html#docCont" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/P-4/page-10.html#docCont</a></i></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Image: https://www.freepik.com/vectors/table'>Table vector created by macrovector - www.freepik.com</i></p></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-38398904953773716562021-10-13T13:23:00.004-04:002021-10-13T14:35:57.897-04:00Does Copyright Extend to “facts”? The Federal Court Sets the Story Straight on the Extent of Copyright Protection in Nonfiction Work<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: arial; font-size: large; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-transform: uppercase;">INTRODUCTION</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3Sby4KqtswxVx_Tv4gAfftSOuRIk7dPOjmdlVOj0XRepGQ4N1xRd3H4o7ow5zl4ZP-juUHIzi9M9AzvQhzpOdbI7N_QJGeCwqI-u5YdGMsVgP2Wcq1QObNU5x9TCs64C4Hz6BqpuEPLPKMSc0MSoZ7gPfAQrFjm7pxsT4RRl7knf6QgBGndOPN1KR=s2048" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="2048" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3Sby4KqtswxVx_Tv4gAfftSOuRIk7dPOjmdlVOj0XRepGQ4N1xRd3H4o7ow5zl4ZP-juUHIzi9M9AzvQhzpOdbI7N_QJGeCwqI-u5YdGMsVgP2Wcq1QObNU5x9TCs64C4Hz6BqpuEPLPKMSc0MSoZ7gPfAQrFjm7pxsT4RRl7knf6QgBGndOPN1KR=w359-h251" width="359" /></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the recent 2021 decision of <i style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Winkler v. Hendley,</i> 2021 FC 498 [<span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Winkler</span>], the Federal Court (the “Court”) addressed an unusual issue of copyright protection in a nonfictional work containing descriptions of events with questionable historical accuracy. In its decision, the Court reiterated that copyright protection does not extend to facts. Moreover, when a work is presented as nonfiction, the facts are not subject to copyright protection. This case serves to reinforce the scope of copyright protection and sets an important precedent in Canada for copyright in nonfictional works.</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">CASE BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW OF THE DISPUTE</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Winkler</span>, the plaintiffs, John Winkler and the estate of the late author Thomas Kelley (“Mr. Kelley”) sued author, Nate Hendley (“Mr. Hendley”), and his publisher, James Lorimer & Company Ltd., the defendants, for copyright infringement. In 1954, Mr. Kelley published a book called <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Donnellys</span>, which was published and sold as a nonfictional account of a notorious family from Lucan, Ontario. In 2004, Mr. Hendley wrote and published a book called <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Donnellys: The Outrageous Tale of Canada’s Deadliest Feud </span>(the “<span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Outrageous Tale</span>”)<span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,</span> which cited <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Donnellys</span> as authority for many of the historical events detailed in the book. Despite <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Donnellys</span> being published as nonfiction, the plaintiffs argued that some of the events described in the book were actually fictional, or contained embellishments made by the author. It was on the basis of these alleged embellishments and “fictional accounts” that the plaintiffs based their claim of copyright infringement against the defendants under sections 3<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/341-does-copyright-extend-to-facts-the-federal-court-sets-the-story-straight-on-the-extent-of-copyright-protection-in-nonfiction-work#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: 11pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span> and 27<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/341-does-copyright-extend-to-facts-the-federal-court-sets-the-story-straight-on-the-extent-of-copyright-protection-in-nonfiction-work#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: 11pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[2]</span> of the <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act </span>(the “<span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Act</span>”).</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">ANALYSIS AND DECISION</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In its analysis, the Court began by clarifying that in Canada, copyright subsists “in every original literary work”, regardless of “whether that work is one of fiction or nonfiction”<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/341-does-copyright-extend-to-facts-the-federal-court-sets-the-story-straight-on-the-extent-of-copyright-protection-in-nonfiction-work#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: 11pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[3]</span>. The Court further reiterated the longstanding principle that there is no copyright protection in facts or ideas, but rather, copyright protects the original expression of those ideas. What is critical for copyright infringement is whether there was a substantial taking of the work in issue, defined as the “part of the work that represents a substantial portion of the authors’ skill and judgment”<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/341-does-copyright-extend-to-facts-the-federal-court-sets-the-story-straight-on-the-extent-of-copyright-protection-in-nonfiction-work#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: 11pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[4]</span>. Importantly, the historical accuracy of the presented facts in a work is not contemplated by the <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Act</span>. Therefore, the factual aspects of <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Donnellys</span> were excluded from the Court’s comparison of passages from <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Donnellys</span> and the <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Outrageous Tale</span> in its determination of whether there was copying of a “substantial part” of the originality of <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Donnellys</span>.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the facts were excluded, the Court concluded that any similarities between the works were so minimal that they did not amount to a substantial taking. Therefore, the Court held that there was no copyright infringement. Moreover, the Court stressed that an author cannot publish a work as nonfiction and later claim that the facts were actually fiction for the purpose of pursuing a copyright case. There are clear public policy reasons behind this principle; the public should be able to rely upon published facts without the concern that the author will later turn around and sue for copyright infringement at a whim. The Court did leave open the possibility that future cases may arise in which asserted “facts” are so implausible that the work must be interpreted as a fiction; however, this scenario was not applicable in this case.</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">IMPORTANCE OF COURT DECISION AND KEY TAKEAWAYS</span></span></h3><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; list-style: outside url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif") none; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Winkler</span> is the first Canadian decision addressing a nonfiction work that was later claimed to be fiction.</span></li><li style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The law is similar in other countries; for example, in the United States, the doctrine of copyright estoppel (also known as the “asserted truths” doctrine) protects against copyright holders of a nonfiction work who subsequently seek to claim that the work is fiction as grounds for copyright infringement.</span></li><li style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Court further affirmed the longstanding principle that there is no copyright protection in facts or ideas but rather <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">the expression</span></span> of those ideas. Importantly, as a general rule, the accuracy of such facts or ideas is not contemplated for the purposes of copyright protection.</span></li></ul><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">CONCLUSIONS</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The decision in <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Winkler</span> is an important consideration for authors who intend to publish and market a book, and highlights the need to look to the future regarding the scope of copyright protection in a published work. Of particular importance is the need to be clear about what is being presented as fact and what is embellished in a nonfictional account. Therefore, prospective authors should also consider consulting with a lawyer experienced in copyright law to discuss how they can best protect their rights in a given literary work.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For expert assistance with any issues pertaining to copyright in a work, please reach out to MBM for a free consultation:</span></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; 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font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Carly Horvath, 2022 Articling Student</span><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/gwang" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><br /></a>T: 613.801.0456<br />E: <a href="mailto:%%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy5780%20=%20'20chorvath'%20+%20'@';%20addy5780%20=%20addy5780%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy5780%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy5780);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px none; 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font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/341-does-copyright-extend-to-facts-the-federal-court-sets-the-story-straight-on-the-extent-of-copyright-protection-in-nonfiction-work#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 15.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span> <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</span>, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42, s 3(1).</span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 22.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Copyright in works</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 0.5in; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3 (1)</span> For the purposes of this Act, copyright, in relation to a work, means the sole right to produce or reproduce the work or any substantial part thereof in any material form whatever.</span></p></div><div style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/341-does-copyright-extend-to-facts-the-federal-court-sets-the-story-straight-on-the-extent-of-copyright-protection-in-nonfiction-work#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 15.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[2]</span> <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ibid,</span> s 27(1).</span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 22.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Infringement generally</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 0.5in; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">27 (1</span>) It is an infringement of copyright for any person to do, without the consent of the owner of copyright, anything that by this Act only the owner of the copyright has the right to do.</span></p></div><div style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/341-does-copyright-extend-to-facts-the-federal-court-sets-the-story-straight-on-the-extent-of-copyright-protection-in-nonfiction-work#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 15.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[3]</span> <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Winkler</span> at paras 53-54 citing <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CCH Canada Ltd v Law Society of Upper Canada</span>, 2004 SCC 13 at paras 8, 14.</span></p></div><div style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px none; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/341-does-copyright-extend-to-facts-the-federal-court-sets-the-story-straight-on-the-extent-of-copyright-protection-in-nonfiction-work#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a><span style="border: 0px none; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 15.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[4]</span> <span style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Cinar Corporation v Robinson</span>, 2013 SCC 73 at para 26.</span></p></div></div></div><div style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</span></i></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-10647703489350672502021-09-15T10:34:00.006-04:002021-10-13T12:49:53.562-04:00Late Report of Patent Grant leads to Irretrievable Loss of Drug Patent Register Listing Rights<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmSV3gQ-Fiw8redxmgYnZI-4zPl7rixnQVkWLm3egjtgaruG3HbQEjfPbBJD6M_a1YWGokvIsXNmScEFw_o1X7soZoQAGiajDNOlwTc9a1XMjaLuzqNsg80-ZdDJgrNdb43aYzzcb53s/s720/4_142_GenericDrugs_720.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmSV3gQ-Fiw8redxmgYnZI-4zPl7rixnQVkWLm3egjtgaruG3HbQEjfPbBJD6M_a1YWGokvIsXNmScEFw_o1X7soZoQAGiajDNOlwTc9a1XMjaLuzqNsg80-ZdDJgrNdb43aYzzcb53s/w320-h213/4_142_GenericDrugs_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Merck Canada Inc. v Canada (Health),</i> <a href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/fct/doc/2021/2021fc345/2021fc345.html" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">2021 FC 345</a></b></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The grant of a patent containing a claim that relates to a medicine or use of the medicine approved by Health Canada triggers a 30-day deadline from the date of payment of the final fee to list the patent on the Patent Register maintained by the Therapeutic Products Directorate. A careful review of the timing of the grant after payment of the Final Fee (i.e., Issue Fee) in this case and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s service standards offers valuable lessons.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In this decision, the Federal Court (the “FC”) dismissed an application for judicial review brought by Merck Canada Inc. (“Merck”) over the refusal by the Minister of Health (the “Minister”) to add <a href="https://www.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2830806/summary.html" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Canadian Patent No. 2,830,806</a> (the “‘806 Patent”) to the Patent Register pursuant to section 4(6) of the <a href="https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-93-133/index.html" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations</a> (the “PM(NOC) Regulations”).</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">BACKGROUND</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Merck markets KEYTRUDA®, a biologic drug for the treatment of certain advanced-stage cancers. The ‘806 Patent was issued on May 12, 2020, and contains claims that are directed to a formulation of the drug KEYTRUDA®.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The issuance of the ‘806 Patent was not reported by the Canadian patent agent retained by Merck’s American parent company (“Merck USA”) until June 15, 2020, more than a month after the patent had issued. Merck USA had however independently learned of the issuance on June 12, 2020 and immediately instructed Merck to take the necessary next steps. Patent lists were submitted the same day, but after the close of business, and were therefore deemed to have been filed on Monday, June 15, 2020.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On June 19, 2020, the Minister informed Merck of the preliminary determination that the patent lists relating to the ‘806 Patent were ineligible for being submitted outside of the 30-day window stipulated in section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations. Merck replied with written representations and affidavit evidence.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Minister later confirmed on November 6, 2020 that the patent lists relating to the ‘806 Patent were ineligible for inclusion on the Patent Register holding, among other elements, that the <a href="https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/T-11.1/index.html" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19)</a> (the “Time Limits Act”) does not extend the deadline within which first persons may submit patent lists in accordance with s 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations; and that the 30-day deadline in section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations is not discretionary.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ANALYSIS</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Merck argued that the Minister’s refusal would deprive the patent holder of substantial protections available under the PM(NOC) Regulations. Additionally, Merck said it would suffer prejudice because a subsequent entrant would be able to file a drug submission after the expiry of the six-year “no file” period for KEYTRUDA®, on May 19, 2021.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The issues, in this case, were a) was the Minister’s determination reasonable that the Time Limits Act cannot be applied here and as a result cannot suspend the 30-day time period specified in section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations? And b) was the Minister’s determination reasonable that she had no discretion to extend the 30-day time period specified in section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations?</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The FC determined that the Minister’s decision would be subject to review against the standard of reasonableness, meaning the FC would only intervene if “there are sufficiently serious shortcomings in the decision such that it cannot be said to exhibit the requisite degree of justification, intelligibility and transparency.”</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With regard to the reasonableness of the Minister’s determination, that the Time Limits Act did not cause suspending of the 30-day time period specified in section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations, the FC found that the Time Limits Act applied in only three circumstances: limitation or prescription periods for commencing a proceeding before a court; time limits for doing something in a proceeding before a court; and time limits where a party makes an application for leave of a court, either to commence a court proceeding or to do something in relation to a court proceeding. Merck asserted that section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations functions as a “gateway” to the summary litigation provisions that begin at section 6(1), and therefore Merck argued that the 30-day period specified in section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations is a “limitation period within a limitation period.” The FC concluded that the listing of a patent on the Patent Register pursuant to section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations is too remote from the commencement of a court proceeding under section 6(1) to constitute a “limitation period within a limitation period” for the purpose of section 6(1) of the Time Limits Act.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With regard to the Minister’s determination that she had no discretion to extend the 30-day time period specified in section 4(6) of the PM(NOC) Regulations being reasonable, Merck relied on a previous FC decision to argue that the Minister may add a “late” patent list to the Patent Register. The FC was not convinced of this argument though, maintaining that it is well established that the timelines prescribed by the PM(NOC) Regulations are exact. The FC further added that the 2017 amendments to the PM(NOC) Regulations also did not confer any new discretionary powers to the Minister.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The FC concluded that the Minister’s decision was justified, intelligible and transparent, and therefore reasonable. No costs were awarded by agreement of the parties.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">COMMENTARY</span></span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A patent will only issue in Canada following payment of the Final Fee. The Client Service Standards at CIPO for grant of a patent after payment of the Final Fee is stated as being within 12 weeks (<a href="https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04399.html#Patent_Branch" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Client Service Standards - Canadian Intellectual Property Office</a>).</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Final Fee for the ‘806 application was paid on March 20, 2020. The ‘806 patent granted 53 days later (about 7½ weeks) well before the 12 weeks service standard. A brief review of recently issued patents in Canada indicates that the quick grant of the ‘806 patent was not an anomaly and that patents are regularly granting within 6 to 8 weeks of payment of the Final Fee.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A key takeaway from this case is that once the Final Fee is paid for applications that are eligible for listing on the Patent Register, the CIPO database should be monitored closely for grant of the patent. To help with that, CIPO now also lists “Forecast Issue Date” on the Administrative Status page for each patent application and further sends a notification by email that the patent has granted. Please note that this is also applicable when filing a divisional application after payment of the Final Fee.<span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/claire_palmer" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Claire Palmer, Ph.D., Senior Patent Agent</span></a><br />T: 613.801.0450<br />E: <span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%3Ca%20href=" mailm:cpalmer="" mbm="" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:cpalmer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">cpalmer@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/oismaili" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Osman Ismaili</span><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">, Patent Agent & Lawyer</span></a><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/kay_palmer" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span>T: 613.801.1054<span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>E:<a href="mailto:%%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy73778%20=%20'20oismaili'%20+%20'@';%20addy73778%20=%20addy73778%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy73778%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy73778);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px none; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></a><a href="mailto:oismaili@mbm.com" style="border: 0px none; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">oismaili@mbm.com</a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></i></div><i style="border: 0px none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></i><p></p>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-50061973497360967722021-06-15T13:10:00.152-04:002021-06-15T17:01:59.413-04:00Industrial Designs - Why Should You Protect Your Unique Designs? <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UQ8EmieqquyjsiECktMiYMr4jp8khzzsOcxiVNTDSApME9xCtzGQIZaA2X7KGUeWXWPGLqxqy5kjd-sAoUaNeFuiO_F66nYhoRnDpUGeWXcXB3fX71SmeI8mluazYTBJZaftogT2Wjo/s2048/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-1050312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UQ8EmieqquyjsiECktMiYMr4jp8khzzsOcxiVNTDSApME9xCtzGQIZaA2X7KGUeWXWPGLqxqy5kjd-sAoUaNeFuiO_F66nYhoRnDpUGeWXcXB3fX71SmeI8mluazYTBJZaftogT2Wjo/s320/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-1050312.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Industrial designs (“ID”) protect a product’s unique appearance such as shape, configuration, pattern and/or ornamental features. The protection can be obtained for the design of the entire finished article or just a part of it. Examples of industrial designs can be found everywhere, ranging from your cellphone’s overall shape and graphic user interface to the colour patterns of your clothes.</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />The exclusive right conferred by the Industrial Design Act does not extend to what the design is made of, how it is made, or how it works. These types of considerations are protectable through patents or trade secrets. However, too often, companies focus primarily on patent protection to the exclusion of other intellectual property rights. Simply put, industrial design protection should not be neglected where shape and configuration assist in a product’s marketability. ID protection can be used alone or in conjunction with other forms of intellectual property as a less expensive means to stop infringing activity.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">How the Registration System Works in Canada</span></b><br /><br />Canada employs a first-to-file system which means it is not necessarily who designed first that is entitled to an ID registration but rather it is a race of who files it first at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (“CIPO”). To obtain an ID registration, it is necessary that the design be novel, which means that no identical or substantially similar design has ever been registered or disclosed. Therefore, if designer ‘1’ created a novel design before designer ‘2’ but designer ‘1’ did not file an application or publicly disclose the novel design (i.e., left the design prototype in their garage or computer) and designer ‘2’ independently created a substantially similar design and filed for the design within 12 months from designer ‘2’s’ public disclosure, then designer ‘2’ will be entitled to the industrial design registration. Notably, an applicant (i.e., designer ‘2’) is given a 12-month window (grace period) to file from its public disclosure or the public disclosure by a person who obtained knowledge of the ID directly or indirectly from the applicant (designer ‘2’).<br /><br />Before filing, you should conduct a thorough search, preferably with professional assistance from an intellectual property lawyer, to ensure your design is novel and has not been previously registered or disclosed.<br /><br />Applications are kept confidential until the earlier of either the registration date or 30 months after the application filing date or priority date. Therefore, the design disclosed in the application will become available to the public following the expiry of the confidentiality period. As such, if an applicant does not wish to disclose a design prior to a product launch, careful consideration should be given to the approximate time it typically takes from application to registration of an ID (12 to 18 months).<br /><br />After registration, you only have to pay a one-time maintenance fee at the 5-year mark. The application process for an industrial design is much faster than that of a patent application. The exclusive right granted by the CIPO registration begins on the registration date and ends on the later of the end of 10 years after the registration date or the end of 15 years after the filing date. Therefore, an ID registration exclusivity is anywhere from 10 to 15 years.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Converting an Industrial Design into a “Perpetual” Trademark Right which can be used to Enforce Copyright</span></b><br /><br />Through proactive and strategic planning, ID’s can be used as an effective tool to ultimately result in perpetual protection for a design.<br /><br />Designs such as three-dimensional shapes can be registered as non-traditional trademarks under the Trademarks Act. However, in order to obtain a shape trademark registration, unlike a regular trademark, it is necessary to provide proof (evidence) of distinctiveness of the trademark at the date of filing of the shape trademark application. To overcome the hurdle of distinctiveness, a meaningful strategy is to first secure an industrial design registration, build up distinctiveness through the monopoly granted by the industrial design registration, and at some point, during the term of the ID registration, file an application for the shape trademark. Once registered, the shape trademark is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely every 10 years. In other words, a shape trademark can exist in perpetuity with use.<br /><br />The Canadian Copyright Act permits the reverse engineering of an article if more than 50 articles are made. However, if the article (i.e., shape) is itself a trademark, then it is prohibited to reverse engineer the article without infringing copyright. Therefore, the ID can be used to support a distinctiveness claim for trademark rights and ultimately lead to enforcement through copyright.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">International Protection by the Hague System</span></b><br /><br />To avoid submitting individual applications in each country of interest, the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs provides an option to register an industrial design in multiple countries by filing a single international application (Hague application) with the International Bureau (IB) of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).<br /><br />The IB of WIPO verifies compliance with formal requirements only, without any examination for novelty. A Hague application that complies with the formal requirements is recorded in the International Register and published in the International Designs Bulletin, followed by a substantial examination by each country identified in your application under its domestic law.<br /><br />In respect of Canada, the international registration is valid for the first 5 years from the date of the international registration and may be renewed twice, namely, at the 5-year mark and the 10-year mark.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Summary</span></b><br /><br />A valid ID registration provides the exclusive right to prevent others from making, selling or importing an article that embodies or is substantially similar to the registered ID.<br /><br />Always try to think outside the box as part of your business strategy as it is important to identify all aspects of your IP assets. For example:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">a unique design may be protected by an ID registration;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">the new, inventive and useful functionality of the product may be covered by a patent;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">the logo of the product may be registered as a trademark;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">the advertising campaign video to promote your product may be protected by copyright.</span></li></ul><br />In conclusion, you should always utilize a combination of IP assets to maximize your IP protection, depending on your budget and your new product development plan.<br /><br />If you have any intellectual property questions, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.<br /></span><div><br /></div><div><div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For more information please contact:<span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; color: #656565; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br /><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/scott_miller" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Scott Miller, Co-Managing Partner, Head of the Litigation Department</span></a><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/scott_miller" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><br /></a><span style="color: #656565; font-size: 14px;">T: 613.801.1099</span><br /><span style="color: #656565; font-size: 14px;">E: </span></span><a href="mailto:smiller@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">smiller@mbm.com</a></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/gwang" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Grace Wang, Associate Lawyer</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.1072<br />E: <a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy84143%20=%20'gwang'%20+%20'@';%20addy84143%20=%20addy84143%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy84143%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy84143);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:gwang="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="mailto:gwang@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">gwang@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></em></div></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-55796518334401756442021-03-17T09:51:00.002-04:002024-01-02T19:36:32.932-05:00Copyrights in Canada – Process, Timeline, Costs, and the Upcoming Proposed Changes to the Copyright Act<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxyfUphPCEdMzPdxaPKJvV_Ir9MOAGV0zvgwgWV94wfcCIQh0mMjNbaGMamWhTbXTHssWNYpg1TjJ1vpStr0TllySfLyYRjWXbe4hvWX3DnQZfjL6fUAprnCfoh6Vz6VbNapeoYx3IWk/s372/copyright.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxyfUphPCEdMzPdxaPKJvV_Ir9MOAGV0zvgwgWV94wfcCIQh0mMjNbaGMamWhTbXTHssWNYpg1TjJ1vpStr0TllySfLyYRjWXbe4hvWX3DnQZfjL6fUAprnCfoh6Vz6VbNapeoYx3IWk/s320/copyright.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Most people are familiar with patents and trademarks as the most common forms of intellectual property, however, copyrights and their importance as part of your overall portfolio of intellectual property assets are sometimes neglected. This article attempts to broadly cover the subject of copyrights in Canada in terms of process, timeline, costs, as well as the upcoming proposed changes to the <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</i>.</p><h5 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">What rights does a copyright holder have?</span></h5><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright is defined by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) as an exclusive right to produce, reproduce, publish, or perform an original literary, artistic, dramatic, or musical work.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A common misconception is that copyright protects an idea. The truth is that copyright does not protect the idea itself but instead protects the expression of an idea. This expression needs to be “fixed” in a tangible medium (written or recorded) for you to be able to copyright it. For example, copyright gives you the right to control the expression of your original written or recorded speech. As a result, you can charge a fee for allowing another party to express themselves in the same way you expressed yourself in your copyrighted speech as well as your copyrighted literary, artistic, dramatic, and musical works.</p><h5 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">How long do copyrights last?</span></h5><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright in Canada currently exists for the author’s lifetime, the remainder of the calendar year in which the author dies, plus 50 years following that calendar year.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">However, changes to these current time limits are coming. On February 11, 2021, the Canadian government announced that due to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Canada has agreed to extend, by the end of 2022, the protection period to a minimum of the author’s lifetime, the remainder of the calendar year in which the author died, plus 70 years following that calendar year.</p><h5 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Why register copyrights?</span></h5><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright is automatic and protects an original work the moment the work is created. Therefore, copyright does not have to be registered for an author to have copyright rights.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">However, registering copyright for your work can be very beneficial because going through the official registration process with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) results in a registration certificate. This registration certificate is an official Canadian government document that is proof that you have rights to your work’s expression and provides a date stamp. This registration certificate can be persuasive evidence when suing someone who is infringing your rights.</p><h5 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">How long does it take to register a copyright?</span></h5><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright registration can generally be obtained within a few weeks.</p><h5 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">How much does it cost to register a copyright?</span></h5><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright registration is relatively inexpensive. The full process from drafting the copyright application, ensuring that the work is categorized correctly, filing it, reviewing the issued certificate of registration, and sending it to the author, is approximately $400, including MBM professional fees and the required government fees.</p><h5 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">What are the steps to register a copyright?</span></h5><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The first step is to draft and file a copyright application.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A crucial piece of information required at this step is the date and place of your work’s publication. It is critical to make sure that CIPO correctly records the date and place of publication if in the future you decide to litigate against an infringer and the infringer argues that their work predates your work.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The next step in the process is an examination of the application by CIPO. If the CIPO examiner determines that the application requires changes, amendments to the application will need to be filed to prevent rejection. Once all the objections are satisfied, the application will register, and the registration certificate will be issued.</p><h5 style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">What are the proposed amendments to the Canadian <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</i>?</span></h5><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Two Private Member’s Bills C-272 and S-225, may result in changes to the <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</i>.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Private Member's Bill, <a href="http://bit.ly/37DEYkm" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">C-272</a> was introduced on February 22, 2021, to add section 41.121 to the <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</i> to modify the treatment of technological protection measures (TPMs). TMPs reduce copyright infringement by controlling the use of a work. The <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</i> provides stiff penalties including, imprisonment and/or fines up to $1,000,000 for circumventing TMPs. The proposed amendment can allow a person to circumvent "a technological protection measure that controls access to a computer program if the person does so for the sole purpose of diagnosing, maintaining or repairing a product in which the computer program is embedded". As a result, Bill C-272 will add an additional circumvention exception to the current circumvention exceptions allowed by the <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</i>. The existing circumvention exceptions include exemptions for law enforcement and national security, reverse engineering for software compatibility, encryption research, verification if a TPM permits the collection or communication of personal information, security testing of computer systems, and accessibility for disabled persons.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Private members bill <a href="http://bit.ly/3u8sLOl" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">S-225</a> was introduced on February 17, 2021, to add a section to the <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</i> to allow remuneration for journalistic works. This bill was introduced because news stories are easily shared using social media without paying a royalty to the copyright holder. As a result, news publisher’s advertising revenue has decreased significantly while at the same time, social media platforms that facilitate this sharing have significantly increased their advertising revenue. The amendment proposes to add, "[i]f a journalistic work ... is reproduced or published on a digital platform that is owned or controlled by a designated digital platform provider, the Canadian journalism organization that owns the copyright in that journalistic work is entitled to remuneration”.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article broadly covered the process of copyrights as well as some of the upcoming suggested changes to the <i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</i>. If you have created an original literary, artistic, dramatic, or musical work and you have further questions and would like to understand your rights and file one or more copyrights, please feel free to contact MBM for a free consultation.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy81354%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy81354%20=%20addy81354%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy81354%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy81354);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a></span></p><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/dlanfranconi" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Daniel Lanfranconi, Associate Lawyer</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.1056<br />E: <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy4410%20=%20'dlanfranconi'%20+%20'@';%20addy4410%20=%20addy4410%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy4410%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy4410);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:dlanfranconi@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dlanfranconi@mbm.com</a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</i><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><div><i style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></i></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-55539915364596300682021-03-02T14:01:00.007-05:002021-06-01T02:31:40.250-04:00What Are the Risks of Not Patenting Your Invention?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvZJRYC2ubehWQN2rKBD7BSWKal0wi5MZRwFVc4U6kHrVYU8n2MaocPIaH2296JFAH70U4dPNQzPfP6mFOPr3Xo2GNalHmZj0844nQRe3qzTqrKf5ksuGvJ1y1S808ZsJscxrFoedVvc/s1404/Cost-Benefit-Chart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvZJRYC2ubehWQN2rKBD7BSWKal0wi5MZRwFVc4U6kHrVYU8n2MaocPIaH2296JFAH70U4dPNQzPfP6mFOPr3Xo2GNalHmZj0844nQRe3qzTqrKf5ksuGvJ1y1S808ZsJscxrFoedVvc/s320/Cost-Benefit-Chart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Companies large and small often think long and hard about whether to patent their products. For small companies and startups, it is often a question of limited time and money. For larger companies, budget is also a concern, but often it is also the time required of inventors to adequately document an invention disclosure and to work with a patent professional. Often, a patent inventor is also a company executive such as the CEO or CTO and their time is limited.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, what happens if you decide not to patent? What are the possible drawbacks? What are the risks?</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A patent can be looked at in several ways:</p><ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; list-style: outside url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif") none; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It can be viewed as a type of insurance: if someone copies my invention or if someone else tries to patent the same invention or a very similar one.</li><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It can also be looked at as an investment.<ul style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: none; list-style: outside url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif") none; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It may allow you to gain access to a competitor’s patents by licensing your patents to them in return.</li><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Filing a patent might be necessary or very helpful in obtaining financing from investors.</li></ul></li><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It also allows you to license your invention to others and collect a royalty fee. Technology licensing can be very important for a small company that may lack the resources to fully benefit from their invention.</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the first things to consider is whether a competitor or third party can figure out your invention based on seeing your product in use, by simply viewing it, or by reverse engineering it. For some inventions, it is clear what is being done as soon as you see it. For other inventions, it can take a significant amount of analysis to figure it out. The more your invention is successful and popular, the more incentive there is for someone to try to determine how it works. Without patent protection, once someone has figured it out there is nothing stopping them from using it themselves.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Another thing to consider is what happens if someone else patents your invention independently. For certain pressing problems, there may be several different teams looking for a solution simultaneously. If you decide not to patent your solution, someone else may patent theirs first and it may be sufficiently broad to encompass what you are doing as well. Luckily, if you are already practicing your invention before the other patent is filed or published, depending on the jurisdiction, you may continue to do so. However, this can quickly get complicated as you may be called upon to prove that your use of your invention predates your competitor’s patent. Things can also become more complicated if you decide to sell your business or a portion of your business. Can the buyer practice your invention, or can you continue to do so? If your exit plan involves a possible sale of your company, the lack of a patent or the presence of a competing patent could be a real barrier to you realizing your goals.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To make the right decision whether to patent or not, here are some things to consider:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Can a competitor easily figure out your invention from your product?</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Would someone else obtaining a patent that covers your invention overly restrict your business plan and options?</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Is the cost of a patent reasonable given your investment in product development and predicted sales?</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Do you require a patent as insurance when working with partners or manufacturers?</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you do decide that filing a patent is the right decision, here are a few steps you should take:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1.Be careful not to disclose your invention or offer it for sale before filing your patent application as it may prevent you from obtaining the patent.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2.Remember that the first to file gets the patent, so don’t delay filing your patent too long or someone else might beat you to it.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3.Take advantage of any government programs that help with funding for patent applications.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No matter what you decide, we recommend that you consult with a patent professional to evaluate the risks and tradeoffs of your patenting decision.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are considering patenting your innovation or product, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy4338%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy4338%20=%20addy4338%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy4338%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy4338);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; 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font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">David Fraser, Patent Agent</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.0169<br />E: <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy78400%20=%20'dfraser'%20+%20'@';%20addy78400%20=%20addy78400%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy78400%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy78400);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:dfraser@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dfraser@mbm.com</a></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-63286843234006957092021-02-16T12:54:00.000-05:002021-02-16T12:54:47.245-05:00Foreign Prosecution History: To Admit, Or Not To Admit, That Remains a Puzzle To Canadian Courts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNmwfDzRH6TE-v42tjFsomQrn1GpZMgibQU-h0OAvrTDM3gnAE93iC-_mrfSJlQr-PXtUyVoze-rnXQY2_eFuTVSp7SCdaL-PHjGDctS0EQXR_nEYuYaT6ylbKho7WpWhwftaJ6hjPDI/s2048/pexels-pixabay-356079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNmwfDzRH6TE-v42tjFsomQrn1GpZMgibQU-h0OAvrTDM3gnAE93iC-_mrfSJlQr-PXtUyVoze-rnXQY2_eFuTVSp7SCdaL-PHjGDctS0EQXR_nEYuYaT6ylbKho7WpWhwftaJ6hjPDI/s320/pexels-pixabay-356079.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><em style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CanMar Foods Ltd. v. TA Foods Ltd.</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/fca/doc/2021/2021fca7/2021fca7.html?autocompleteStr=Canmar%20Foods%20Ltd.%20v.%20TA%20Foods%20Ltd&autocompletePos=3" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2021 FCA 7</a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Section 53.1 of the <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patent Act</em> has brought about a significant shift in the Canadian approach to file wrapper estoppel by enabling the introduction of a patent’s prosecution history during claim construction. Prosecution files are now admissible to rebut a patentee’s representation that attempts to recapture ground conceded during the patent prosecution to avoid prior art.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In a unanimous decision, the Federal Court of Appeal (“FCA”) concluded that the Federal Court (“FC”) should have refrained from considering the prosecution history of the corresponding US Application at the trial level. However, whether the prosecution history of a foreign application can ever be considered pursuant to section 53.1 of the <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patent Act</em> is still unclear.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: MyriadProBoldCondensed; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">BACKGROUND</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CanMar Foods Ltd. (“CanMar”) and TA Foods Ltd. (“TA”) are two Saskatchewan corporations competing in the business of manufacturing flax seed products. CanMar alleged that TA infringed its patent (the “376 Patent”) entitled “Methods for Roasting Oil Seed, and Roasted Oil Seed Products.” However, TA argued that its oil seed roasting or cooking process fell outside the claims of the ‘376 Patent. Specifically, TA’s process neither heated oil seed in a “stream of air” nor maintained the oil seed in an “insulated roasting chamber or tower.” Furthermore, these two limitations were added by CanMar during the prosecution of the corresponding US Patent Application (the “405 Application”).</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In contrast, TA only used a Micronizer for heating oil seed via infrared radiation. Moreover, it was determined that the hoppers and the cooling tower of the Micronizer were clearly uninsulated. Therefore, TA claimed that no infringement could be found on the essential elements of the ‘376 Patent.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The trial judge considered two issues: first, CanMar expressly acknowledged that the claims of the ‘376 Patent had been amended to be substantially the same as the corresponding claims of the ‘405 Application in the United States; second, CanMar admitted that the amendments had limited the scope of the claims in order to overcome the novelty and obviousness concerns raised before the USPTO.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Therefore, the trial judge concluded that the language of section 53.1 generally should be limited to communications between the patentee and the Canadian Patent Office. However, consideration of foreign prosecution histories may be permissible as part of a purposive construction of the claims of the ‘376 Patent in such “extraordinary circumstances”.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Given that TA’s roasting process did not comprise the two essential elements at issue, the trial judge held that TA did not infringe any claims of the ‘376 Patent.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: MyriadProBoldCondensed; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">ANALYSIS</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the appeal decision, the FCA considered the scope of section 53.1 and whether it should cover communications between patentees and foreign patent offices.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The FCA found that the trial judge’s heavy reliance on the US case of <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Abbott Labs v. Sandoz</em>, 566 F.3d 1282 (2009) [<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Abbott Labs</em>] was inappropriate. In <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Abbott Lab</em>s, the US patent claimed priority from the application of the foreign patent which necessarily entailed that express reference to the foreign patent was made. Such was not the case here. Another US case, <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Paice LLC, The Abell Foundation, Inc. v. Ford Motor Company</em>, 881 F.3d. 894 (2018) was found to be more relevant, citing that "[t]o incorporate material by reference, the host document must identify with detailed particularity what specific material it incorporates and clearly indicate where that material is found in the various documents."</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">However, CanMar only mentioned briefly in a response to the Examiner that “new claims 1-19 correspond substantially to those submitted during prosecution of a related United States application.” The FCA held that it would be a far stretch to say the prosecution of the US Application was incorporated by reference when the specific application was not even cited within the document.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Furthermore, the FCA considered the public policy reasons and held that allowing foreign patent prosecution history into the analysis might lead to overly contentious and expensive litigation. While the global system has become more interconnected, some differences lie in the respective registration processes and the languages of patent claims. For example, a party may disclaim an element in one country that they do not have to disclaim in another, and the potential issues of translation may lead to major problems in the interpretation of the claims as well.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That being said, the FCA also pointed out that one should not underplay the public interest in keeping those previously disclaimed elements from being re-claimed in future infringement cases.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In conclusion, the FCA ruled that the corresponding US prosecution history should not be considered, but wished to express no firm views on the broader issue of whether the prosecution history of a foreign application can ever be considered pursuant to section 53.1 of the Patent Act. As a result, the FCA simply upheld the underlying decision that TA did not infringe the ‘376 Patent at issue and that CanMar’s appeal should be dismissed.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: MyriadProBoldCondensed; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">COMMENTARY</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Before the introduction of section 53.1 of the Canadian Patent Act, it was very clear that the prosecution history in another jurisdiction was inadmissible for the purpose of claim construction. In this case, section 53.1 of the Patent Act is perceived as a step to better align Canadian law with its UK and US counterparts.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The importance of the trial level decision was significant, as it was the first case in Canada to interpret the purpose of section 53.1 and how it compares to the application of file wrapper estoppel in the UK and the United States. The broader issue of whether the prosecution history of a foreign application can ever be considered will be left to the courts to clarify in future decisions.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are dealing with an IP litigation issue, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation</p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy69156%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy69156%20=%20addy69156%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy69156%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy69156);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; 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color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy75727%20=%20'gwang'%20+%20'@';%20addy75727%20=%20addy75727%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy75727%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy75727);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:oismaili="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:gwang@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">gwang@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-75324967152599654632021-02-03T10:53:00.030-05:002021-02-05T14:29:36.254-05:00Taste, Smell, Sound, Touch, and Sight - Appealing to All Five Senses with Non-Traditional Trademarks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_yy8R8HIWIOC8t71d1zflUtEXLgPkbgKH9GCUSNPDxHJtAqh2Xh3SufxFEtjq0RJLTUoW_nExAntC0WVl3RvTJVqwWjSld3siL6bpr7VA9ZnON6XLB5UNygepyNuJXZyZBwJw-P0Y1g/s1500/cokebottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_yy8R8HIWIOC8t71d1zflUtEXLgPkbgKH9GCUSNPDxHJtAqh2Xh3SufxFEtjq0RJLTUoW_nExAntC0WVl3RvTJVqwWjSld3siL6bpr7VA9ZnON6XLB5UNygepyNuJXZyZBwJw-P0Y1g/s320/cokebottles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Words and logo designs tend to steal the show when it comes to what many typically associate with the term “trademark”. What is often underrepresented is that trademarks can be used to interact with consumers beyond their two-dimensional, visual components. In June of 2019, the Canadian Trademarks Act was amended and now includes a slew of non-traditional trademarks, such as three-dimensional shapes, colours in abstract, moving images, modes of packaging goods, smells, tastes, sounds, positions, textures, and holograms.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The expansion of the legal definition of a trademark in Canada, in conjunction with the potential perpetual term of protection, offers brand owners significant incentive to employ a multi-pronged approach in the protection of their products and services. Various unique elements of a product or unique features of consumer experience in the performance of a service may be protected as trademarks. By way of illustration, in practice, this can include the unusual shape of a bottle, the exclusive scent of a store, a catchy jingle, or the texture of a handbag. But like all good things, there is a catch. The Trademarks Act includes certain limitations which restrict the availability of non-traditional trademark protection.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Trademark protection cannot be extended to features which are dictated primarily by utilitarian function, in relation to the associated goods and services (s.12(2) of the Trademarks Act), nor can they unreasonably limit the development of any art or industry (s.18.1 Trademarks Act). For instance, it is unlikely that the taste of mint could be trademarked in association with gum, or a flowery scent trademarked in association with perfume, as these features are dictated by the functional aspect of the respective goods and would unreasonably limit the art and/or industry. On the contrary, the taste of mint in association with lipstick, or a flowery scent in association with stationary would likely not contravene the Trademarks Act. These provisions are also largely intended to remove the possibility of extending perpetual trademark protection to features which would otherwise be protected through a patent. In fact, the Lego® brick was famously the subject of this exact dispute before the Supreme Court of Canada.<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/335-taste-smell-hear-touch-and-see-appealing-to-all-five-senses-with-non-traditional-trademarks#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[1]</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Moreover, at the examination stage, unlike in the case of a traditional trademark, the Canadian Trademarks Office will typically require evidence of distinctiveness of the applied-for non-traditional trademark. This means that the applicant would need to prove that the trademark has amassed sufficient reputation in Canada, to the point where the average Canadian consumer has been adequately educated as to its trademark status. This is often referred to as a “secondary meaning” since the evidence would need to demonstrate that the trademark’s overwhelming reputation causes consumers to dispense of its primary meaning. A classic example is the Coke® bottle. A bottle containing cola (primary meaning) is not specific to a single source, however the Coke® bottle is instantly identifiable, even when stripped of its label, because of the tremendous consumer recognition of that particular bottle shape belonging to Coca-Cola (secondary meaning). As such, it is advisable that a brand owner has several years of use of their non-traditional trademark and compile detailed evidence of the trademark’s reputation prior to formally applying for its registration with the Canadian Trademarks Office.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In creating marketing strategies, brand owners should consider the proprietary potential in thinking “outside the [traditional] box”. For example, in contemplating protecting a unique shape as a trademark, brand owners should consider taking advantage of the monopoly afforded by an industrial design in order to secure exclusivity and reputation in the shape, prior to filing for trademark protection. All things considered, creative branding strategists should venture beyond the conventional two-dimensional eye candy appeal of words and logos, and contemplate trademarks which can be perceived in three dimensions, felt, smelt, tasted or heard.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Despite the potential challenges with acquiring registrations for non-traditional trademarks, our team is accustomed to developing tailored non-traditional trademark strategies designed to properly position brand owners for success. If you are thinking of protecting a non-traditional branding element as a trademark, we would love to chat. MBM offers initial consultations at no charge.</p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/dmeltzer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Deborah Meltzer, Associate Lawyer</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.1077<br />E: <a style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:dmeltzer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dmeltzer@mbm.com</a><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br clear="all" /><hr align="left" size="1" style="clear: both;" width="33%" /><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/335-taste-smell-hear-touch-and-see-appealing-to-all-five-senses-with-non-traditional-trademarks#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[1] Kirkbi AG v. Ritvik Holdings Inc. / Gestions Ritvik Inc., 2005 SCC 65</p></div></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-44636291134234112042021-01-20T10:17:00.004-05:002021-01-21T10:29:30.263-05:00The Supreme Court of Canada May Hold Your Silence as Dishonesty in Contract Performance<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8Jj7JVAwTI8NryVTjH3a-xSyCUqmNuh8BM8iGXIbhwN_RcWT8ZKWf2ZFbEahyphenhyphen6gP4OByZOpz6VmOZnpik3dj2gl18O6ityHBAe6m2S-VfI2IyStmZuaGj82uWCcyxQdSCIobuFykymo/s423/Canadian-Flag-Gavel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8Jj7JVAwTI8NryVTjH3a-xSyCUqmNuh8BM8iGXIbhwN_RcWT8ZKWf2ZFbEahyphenhyphen6gP4OByZOpz6VmOZnpik3dj2gl18O6ityHBAe6m2S-VfI2IyStmZuaGj82uWCcyxQdSCIobuFykymo/s16000/Canadian-Flag-Gavel.jpg" /></a></div><br /><em style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">C.M. Callow Inc. v. Zollinger,</strong></em><span face="Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2020/2020scc45/2020scc45.html" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2020 SCC 45</strong></span></a><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This case is applicable to all types of contracts including those involving Intellectual Property. The duty of honest performance requires that parties must not lie or otherwise knowingly mislead each other about matters directly linked to the performance of a contract.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In a 5-3-1 split decision, the Supreme Court of Canada (the “SCC”) re-affirmed the duty of honest performance in a contract, formulated originally in <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bhasin v. Hrynew,</em> <a href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2014/2014scc71/2014scc71.html" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2014 SCC 71</span></a>. In this case, Callow did not deny the existence of the right of termination but argued for the wrongful manner in which Baycrest had exercised the contractual right to terminate the winter maintenance agreement with Callow.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: MyriadProBoldCondensed; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">BACKGROUND</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In 2012, Callow entered into a two-year winter maintenance agreement and a separate one-year summer maintenance agreement with Baycrest. Baycrest was entitled to terminate the winter agreement unilaterally, for any reason, upon giving 10 days’ written notice.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In early 2013, Baycrest decided to terminate the winter agreement but chose not to inform Callow in a timely manner. Throughout the spring and summer of 2013, communications between Callow and Baycrest included discussions about renewing the winter agreement, in which Baycrest created a false impression that a renewal of the winter agreement was likely and that the current winter agreement would not be terminated. As a result of these communications, Callow did not bid on any other winter contract. Callow also offered extra services to Baycrest during the summer, which they hoped would be an incentive for Baycrest to renew the winter contract. Baycrest accepted the free services with silence.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In September 2013, Baycrest terminated the winter agreement by giving the required 10 days’ notice. At this point, it was too late for Callow to secure any alternative winter contract. Callow sued for breach of contract, alleging that Baycrest had acted in bad faith.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: MyriadProBoldCondensed; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">ANALYSIS</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The trial-level judge found that statements and conduct by Baycrest actively deceived Callow from the time the termination decision was made to September 2013 and awarded damages to Callow in order to place it in the same position as if the breach had not occurred. The Ontario Court of Appeal (“ONCA”) reversed the trial judge’s decision and held that the judge had erred by improperly expanding the duty of honest performance beyond the terms of the winter maintenance agreement.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Callow appealed the ONCA’s decision to the SCC. The SCC looked at two critical issues when considering if Baycrest breached its duty of honest performance:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(1) did Baycrest’s conduct constitutes dishonesty; and</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(2) was Baycrest’s dishonesty directly linked to the performance of the contract?</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the majority opinion, it was concluded that by knowingly misleading Callow into believing the winter maintenance agreement would not be terminated, Baycrest had breached its duty of honest performance on a matter directly linked to the performance of the contract, even if the 10-day notice requirement was satisfied, and irrespective of their motive for termination. When awarding damages, the court considered if Baycrest's dishonesty had not deprived Callow of the opportunity to bid on other contracts, then Callow would have made an amount that was at least equal to the profit it lost under the winter maintenance agreement.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the concurring opinion, 3 judges concluded that the majority's reliance on the civilian doctrine of abuse of a right distorts the analysis in <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bhasin v. Hrynew</em> and ignores the distinction between honest performance and good faith in the exercise of contractual discretion.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The only dissenting judge concluded that Baycrest’s conduct may not be laudable, but it does not fall within the category of “active dishonesty” prohibited by the duty of honest performance. The dissenting judge found Baycrest had no obligation to speak when it became aware of Callow’s mistaken belief that the contract would not be terminated unless Baycrest had taken positive action that materially contributed to that belief. The justice further found that absent a duty to disclose, it is far from obvious when exactly one’s silence will knowingly mislead the other contracting party or at what point a permissible silence turns into a non‑permissible silence that may constitute a breach of contract.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: MyriadProBoldCondensed; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 30px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">COMMENTARY</span></h3><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There are a few key takeaways from this case:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">First, your intention may be irrelevant. You may get sued for creating misapprehension or giving false statements, even if you do not intend the counterparty to rely on it. The counterparty may draw conclusions from your conduct as well. For example, when discussing terms of a potential renewal, they may reasonably infer that the contract is likely to be renewed. When you realize that the counterparty has a mistaken belief about the performance of the contract, and only if your conduct has caused that mistaken belief, you should immediately correct them.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Second, a key difference lies between “relevance to the contract” and “relevance to the performance of the contract”. If you fail to disclose matters relevant to the contract itself but irrelevant to the performance of the contract, this does not breach the duty of honest performance, unless there is a separate duty to disclose.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Third, whether or not a party has "knowingly misled" its counterparty is a highly fact-specific determination, and can include lies, half-truths, omissions and even silence. This merely exemplifies that dishonesty or misleading conduct is not confined to direct lies. Therefore, if you doubt whether the exercise of a contractual right or performance of contractual duty constitutes a breach of duty of honest performance, you are strongly advised to seek legal advice to reduce the risk of future litigation.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you are dealing with Intellectual Property contracts or Intellectual Property contract disputes, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free initial consultation.</p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; 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font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-50032376481445810412021-01-06T13:48:00.000-05:002021-01-06T13:48:40.774-05:00Software and Business Method Patents - How to Improve Your Chances?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrGMmWasYdOFIjZWxzMQfeeAu6jKT2ktgfQWU2xCd3s0NTfLuUkLpk-ZS-G2a0LkPy50XM_jmc-EteasphIJCUAK3IaZAgUpwWJFIcyz2VWaCZuDEPfHJtnXVACxm3FwkaH6O8Y-U3Ro/s1000/pexels-markus-spiske-2004161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrGMmWasYdOFIjZWxzMQfeeAu6jKT2ktgfQWU2xCd3s0NTfLuUkLpk-ZS-G2a0LkPy50XM_jmc-EteasphIJCUAK3IaZAgUpwWJFIcyz2VWaCZuDEPfHJtnXVACxm3FwkaH6O8Y-U3Ro/s320/pexels-markus-spiske-2004161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Some of the most valuable inventions are software implemented methods. Many software methods are business method patents designed to make business more efficient. These include Artificial Intelligence (AI) / machine learning applications and Financial Technology (Fintech) applications.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Software patents, historically, were not considered patentable. This is because mathematical algorithms (scientific principles and abstract theorems) are generally not patentable in Canada and computer programs were seen as simply an implementation of mathematical algorithms and formulas. As the patent office historically stated, if an invention did not have a physical existence or manifest a discernible physical effect or change, you could not patent it.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This changed in 2010 with the granting of the <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2246933A1/en?oq=ca2246933" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Amazon 1-click patent</a>. Subsequently, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) updated their Examination practice guidance to say that given a purposive claim construction, if a computer (to execute the software) was found to be an essential element, the combination of the computer and the software, being a tangible device, could be patented.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Purposive claim construction was defined by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2000 and a two-part test was developed to determine if a claim element was essential or non-essential. A claim element is essential if:</p><ul style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style: outside url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif") none; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Modifying or substituting the claim element would change the way the invention works</li><li style="border: 0px; font: inherit; list-style-image: url("../images/MBM_bullet_regular.gif"); list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The inventor intended that the claim element be essential</li></ul><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If a claim element is essential, the patent Examiner must consider it. If a claim element is non-essential, a patent Examiner may ignore it.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Unfortunately, the guidance from CIPO only cited the first part of the test and omitted the second. This meant that many computer-implemented claims were rejected because the Examiner would determine that the computer was non-essential, ignore it, and be left with only the computer algorithm. The remaining algorithm would then be found to be an abstract theorem and be rejected.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This changed at the end of 2020 when the <a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/327-federal-court-finds-cipo-examination-practice-out-of-line-with-supreme-court-precedents" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Federal Court ruled that CIPO’s guidance goes against the Supreme Court’s two-part test</a>. Recently, CIPO has issued <a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/330-the-impact-of-cipos-new-guidance-on-the-prosecution-of-patent-applications-directed-to-diagnostic-methods" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">new guidance</a> so that the full two-part test for determining essential and non-essential claim elements will be used.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is great news for inventors and companies innovating in the field of software, financial, and business methods. No longer can the patent office so easily ignore the physical aspects of your inventions and reject your patents.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To ensure that your software inventions can be patented there are several steps you can take:</span></strong></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1.</strong> Make sure that there are physical elements in your claims that are essential elements. There must be an essential physical aspect of your invention. Your patent professionals can help you with this.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2.</strong> Your invention should provide a technical solution to a technical problem. It is best that your invention produces a physical effect or change.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3.</strong> If your invention improves the operation or efficiency of the computer itself, this should be highlighted.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">4.</strong> Describe the physical environment in which the software operates. Don’t just describe the mathematical algorithm; include the computers, the network, servers, and the external world in which it operates.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">5.</strong> If your system obtains data from external sensors or uses the results to control something in the real world, include these details.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you have a software invention that you are considering patenting, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy7870%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy7870%20=%20addy7870%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy7870%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy7870);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; 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color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:dfraser@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">dfraser@mbm.com</a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><div><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></em></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-2212530647461955212020-12-07T13:20:00.020-05:002020-12-08T11:15:16.971-05:00Effective Consent Made Easier Under the NOC Regulations<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CPah_1XbUQFj-Y7Vwg2c2ie2KlB9DPGq1GHWAgmVamOHVubgomDFHn-3OpgadO24MCysBUgOG2zVH8GM_HGcnV-e7XEx5Ge91yZS9o_8cjJjOaM0_82fsPBAr3_rtTR4GHB1NssTsmI/s2048/pexels-freestocksorg-143654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CPah_1XbUQFj-Y7Vwg2c2ie2KlB9DPGq1GHWAgmVamOHVubgomDFHn-3OpgadO24MCysBUgOG2zVH8GM_HGcnV-e7XEx5Ge91yZS9o_8cjJjOaM0_82fsPBAr3_rtTR4GHB1NssTsmI/s320/pexels-freestocksorg-143654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Case introduction:</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations (“NOC Regulations”) permit the Minister of Health (“Minister”) to issue a notice of compliance (“NOC”) to a generic company where a patentee’s effective consent is obtained. Effective consent under the NOC Regulations requires the patentee’s consent for the making, constructing, using or selling of a drug in Canada (“Activities”). This was at issue in <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fresenius Kabi Canada Ltd. v. Canada (Health)</em>, 2020 FC 1013 in which the Federal Court of Canada (“Court”) determined that effective consent under the NOC Regulations requires the patentee’s consent for only one of the Activities and not all Activities.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Case background:</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fresenius Kabi Canada Ltd. (“the Applicant”) brought an application for judicial review of the Minister’s refusal to issue a NOC. The Applicant had sought an NOC for its drug adalimumab, IDACIO, which is a biosimilar of the drug, HUMIRA, owned by AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd. (“AbbVie”). AbbVie also owns a number of patents (“Patents”) in respect of HUMIRA. In seeking an NOC, the Applicant had relied on AbbVie’s consent to comply with the NOC Regulations. AbbVie had provided immediate consent to the making and constructing of IDACIO, and a delayed consent, until after February 15, 2021, to the using and selling of IDACIO. The Minister refused to issue a NOC because AbbVie’s consent was only effective after February 15, 2021, when consent to all Activities had been provided.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">The Court decision:</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Court found the Minister’s refusal unreasonable partly because the Minister erred in interpreting the word “or” as conjunctive “and” in the NOC Regulations, which recites “consent to the making, constructing, using <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">or</strong> selling of the drug in Canada.” The Court reasoned that “the word ‘or’ is presumed to be disjunctive, but inclusive, such that, as in this case, a patent owner could consent to each or a combination of the activities listed - making, constructing, using or selling - to meet the [consent] requirements” of the NOC Regulations. The Court found AbbVie’s consent as unequivocal to all Activities, despite the temporal nature of the consent. The Court overturned the Minister’s decision and ordered the Minister to issue the NOC.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Court based its reading of the word “or” on the NOC Regulations’ dual purpose, “to balance effective patent enforcement over new and innovative drugs with the timely market entry of their lower-priced generic competitors.” The Court noted that an NOC is essential for the timely launch of a biosimilar product, which is critical for biosimilars to remain competitive and establish their market position.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Key takeaway:</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Court’s interpretation of the word “or”, as disjunctive, but inclusive, clarifies that requirements of consent, under the NOC Regulations, are met so long as the patent owner consents to at least one of the Activities.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Please feel free to reach out to MBM with regards to any Intellectual Property matters in Canada.</p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy53438%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy53438%20=%20addy53438%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy53438%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy53438);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/jhakimi" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jamal Hakimi, Patent Associate</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.0509<br />E: <span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy68452%20=%20'jhakimi'%20+%20'@';%20addy68452%20=%20addy68452%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy68452%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy68452);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:jhakimi@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">jhakimi@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-59153556024184175242020-11-23T09:49:00.001-05:002020-11-23T09:49:33.573-05:00Common Patent Misconceptions - Myth #5 - Provisional Applications<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEczPMAjB2SkMCfOsv5FGH0GXiu_Q2CwvX3hruwvDMO8smuI936wrVGH8HoiBrVXOVCZxDUtA7l7KYtvFYaUPZ2e8Fk8Eq7GPsuLG9V58s_9XCDInuf7JhCCD5A0fIByTQWr6iKOkIU0o/s2000/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEczPMAjB2SkMCfOsv5FGH0GXiu_Q2CwvX3hruwvDMO8smuI936wrVGH8HoiBrVXOVCZxDUtA7l7KYtvFYaUPZ2e8Fk8Eq7GPsuLG9V58s_9XCDInuf7JhCCD5A0fIByTQWr6iKOkIU0o/s320/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><em style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is part of a series on commonly held misconceptions about patents. Many prospective patentees often have unfounded reservations about patenting their inventions. The aim of this series of short articles is to debunk these common myths around patent protection.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Patent Myth #5:</span> Even if my invention is in an early stage of development, I can still file a “quick and dirty” U.S. provisional application</strong><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A U.S. provisional patent application can be filed as a “place holder” to secure an <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">early priority date</span> and allows you to disclose or discuss your invention with potential investors. A provisional application needs to be converted into a full application by the one-year mark and has to be filed individually in each country you are interested in.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Despite the fact that the formality requirements for U.S. provisional patent applications are fairly relaxed in comparison to non-provisional applications, there are still a number of good practices that inventors should keep in mind. In this article, we will explore some reasons why inventors should NOT cut corners when filing provisional patent applications.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Quality of the Provisional Application Drafted</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One often hears that a provisional patent application can be as simple as sending the photograph of an idea scribbled on a napkin to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). While these may still serve as stopgaps at the USPTO, their robustness and efficacy as patent applications are largely problematic.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is generally an accepted good practice in the industry to file provisional patent applications to be as much like formal applications as possible. When inventors choose to file their provisional patent applications themselves (oftentimes by submitting presentations or academic papers), they might include language that could limit the invention, or generally set themselves up for obstacles down the road.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Enabling Disclosure in Provisional Applications</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Another aspect to keep in mind is the fact that provisional applications must still provide an enabling disclosure. That is, they are held to the same standard as non-provisional applications for being able to adequately teach the invention they protect. This is in fact a key requirement in all jurisdictions. For example, section 27(3) of Canada’s <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patent Act</span> states that the “specification of an invention must correctly and fully describe the invention and its operation or use as contemplated by the inventor.”</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A provisional application which only spells out an idea, but does not teach how to properly implement it, may run into problems later on, including at the formalization stage. Patent Examiners may also assign later claim dates to concepts that did not appear in the provisional application, and only appeared later in its formalization. This is why it is a good practice to ensure that that provisional application describes the invention as fully as possible.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Conversion to Formal Applications</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As the provisional applications must be converted into regular applications before the 12-month time period runs out, another important point to remember is that a very rudimentary provisional patent application may be much more difficult to convert into a full patent application than a provisional application that is well-drafted. The rudimentary provisional will undoubtedly require more time, effort and money than if the starting point was a robust provisional patent application drafted by a patent professional. So while the photograph of a napkin with an idea on it may seem appealing initially, it can end up costing inventors a lot more down the road.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At a very minimum, a provisional patent application should be a robust detailed description of the invention. It should teach those skilled in the relevant art how to implement and practice the invention. The description should also describe the invention as fully as possible so that a meaningful set of claims may be drawn from it at the formalization stage, if not at the provisional stage.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Patents are not cheap, but they can turn out to be your business’s biggest assets, so it is worth investing in them and drafting them properly from the start. It is equally important to remember that patent law isn’t simple. It is one of the most complex areas of the law, with numerous potential pitfalls if you aren’t careful. That’s why hiring a professional from the start, who is trained and experienced in navigating the intricacies of patent law, can end up saving inventors a great deal of time, money and trouble in the long run.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you have an idea that you are considering patenting, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy26863%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy26863%20=%20addy26863%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy26863%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy26863);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/oismaili" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Osman Ismaili, Patent Associate</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.1054<br />E: <span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy17449%20=%20'oismaili'%20+%20'@';%20addy17449%20=%20addy17449%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy17449%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy17449);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:oismaili@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">oismaili@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-51467728509552880852020-11-10T14:14:00.001-05:002020-11-10T14:15:36.550-05:00The Impact of CIPO’s New Guidance on the Prosecution of Patent Applications Directed to Diagnostic Methods<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX6iNKMfWrygzBMp4_a7JDmRdjMPFiTqpbu-CqSEG1q6uMurJRCtm9S0tSvqHIvDoO76oqRq21VO-ymk5CgFSpgnRXzpjJufSpaEN75dC-7NNrUYuxSmg1tKmjYm9maVB4uJOkpR9iXo/s2048/pexels-chokniti-khongchum-2280549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX6iNKMfWrygzBMp4_a7JDmRdjMPFiTqpbu-CqSEG1q6uMurJRCtm9S0tSvqHIvDoO76oqRq21VO-ymk5CgFSpgnRXzpjJufSpaEN75dC-7NNrUYuxSmg1tKmjYm9maVB4uJOkpR9iXo/s320/pexels-chokniti-khongchum-2280549.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The Federal Court in </span><em style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Choueifaty v. Canada (Attorney General)</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, 2020 FC 837 decision found that CIPO’s problem and solution framed “purposive construction” was inconsistent with the principles set forth by the Supreme Court of Canada (for more background information, please see our previous </span><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/327-federal-court-finds-cipo-examination-practice-out-of-line-with-supreme-court-precedents" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">article</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">). The CIPO has now issued examination</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04860.html" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">guidance</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">in light of this decision. The updated guidance will be applied effective immediately to applications currently in prosecution as well as those presently before the Patent Appeal Board.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We believe that the impact of this change in CIPO’s practice with respect to claim construction will positively impact the prosecution of many diagnostic method patent applications. In particular, a number of claims which were found to be directed to non-statutory subject matter when incorrectly construed using the problem solution approach may now be found to be directed to statutory subject matter when construed correctly using purposive construction.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To illustrate this impact, the following claim (from the examples included in CIPO’s notice) has been construed using CIPO’s incorrect problem solution approach and the correct purposive construction approach.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Claim:</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. A method of diagnosing whether a human subject is at risk for developing cancer, comprising:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a.</strong> measuring the level of X in a biological sample from the subject; and</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 30px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">b.</strong> comparing said level to the level of a non-cancerous reference sample, wherein an increase in the level of X relative to said reference indicates the subject is at risk for cancer.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Under CIPO’s Incorrect Problem-Solution Claim Construction:</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The typical problem CIPO would have identified for this type of claim under the problem-solution approach is a data analysis problem (i.e. relating the level of X to cancer risk). The solution to the problem CIPO would likely have identified would have been a correlation between cancer risk and the level of X and accordingly the steps related to measuring the level of X and comparing the level would have been regarded as non-essential. As such, the only element CIPO would have identified as essential would be the correlation between cancer risk. Such a correlation step is a disembodied idea and therefore the CIPO would have found that the claim is directed to non-statutory subject matter.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Under Purposive Construction:</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There is no language in the claim indicating that any of the steps are optional. Accordingly, all the steps (including the steps related to measuring X and comparing the level of X) are essential.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As the essential elements are not limited to a disembodied idea, CIPO would find that the claim is directed to statutory subject matter.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Given this change in CIPO’s practice, we recommend reassessing any cases directed to diagnostic methods that were impacted by CIPO’s incorrect problem-solution claim construction methodology.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Please feel free to reach out to MBM if you need help regarding reassessing any cases directed to diagnostic methods.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/kay_palmer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kay Palmer, Ph.D., Senior Patent Agent</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.0452<br />E: <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy66092%20=%20'kpalmer'%20+%20'@';%20addy66092%20=%20addy66092%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy66092%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy66092);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:kpalmer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">kpalmer@mbm.com</a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/claire_palmer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Claire Palmer, Ph.D., Senior Patent Agent</span></a><br />T: 613.801.0450<br />E: <span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%3Ca%20href=" mailm:cpalmer="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:cpalmer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">cpalmer@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-20018630959536798662020-11-03T13:05:00.011-05:002020-11-03T13:19:37.666-05:00CIPO Updates Patent Examination Practice In Light of Recent Federal Court Decision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBRCTHoBa0OXa8y_LOHacDyrDxsKMCyvJZ-954Yvgo-Y6kVd9HsJhYHt-ymJTOkP5XJxIFVd-054hQbJNZhNZgse9tkHKUVOqibYPhWfOJtvwjMv65jAWh0HfnURMdE71RdENtNI1Sxw/s610/canada-spam-law.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBRCTHoBa0OXa8y_LOHacDyrDxsKMCyvJZ-954Yvgo-Y6kVd9HsJhYHt-ymJTOkP5XJxIFVd-054hQbJNZhNZgse9tkHKUVOqibYPhWfOJtvwjMv65jAWh0HfnURMdE71RdENtNI1Sxw/s320/canada-spam-law.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: #666666;">The Federal Court in <i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Choueifaty v. Canada (Attorney
General)</span></i> (2020 FC 837) found that CIPO’s problem and solution
framed “purposive construction” was inconsistent with the principles set forth
by the Supreme Court of Canada. CIPO has now issued <a href="http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04860.html" target="_blank">examination guidance</a>
in light of this</span> <span style="color: #666666;">decision</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN-CA">. <span style="color: #666666;">The updated guidance will be applied effective immediately to applications
currently in prosecution as well as those presently before the Patent Appeal
Board.</span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="color: #666666;">We believe that this is a positive development and
recommend a reassessment of cases that were impacted by CIPO’s incorrect past
position. For more background information, please see our previous </span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/36u9X2P" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">article</a><span face="Arial, sans-serif">.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<br /><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/kay_palmer" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #be5f16; font-family: arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kay Palmer, Ph.D., Senior Patent Agent</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">T: 613.801.0452</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: arial;" /><span style="font-family: arial;">E: </span><a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy37451%20=%20'kpalmer'%20+%20'@';%20addy37451%20=%20addy37451%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy37451%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy37451);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #be5f16; font-family: arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:kpalmer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #be5f16; font-family: arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">kpalmer@mbm.com</a></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p><div><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></em></div><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-87949548475319020402020-10-28T10:31:00.003-04:002020-10-28T10:33:24.195-04:00Enforcing Copyright Outside the Courtroom – The New Notice Regimes<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNDKQmpSs0mvKytqiSk-f2D81_JgvOWjTlD8TCCa2ptGOgzs3i-XGX1WaD-sffgi5FXWVWvVT-8B6i3bgr8vASo9_xiy3Ogl4XCMFDzabQZDQ42fTK5XXTu5g_ZAgUi8r2kE02EB6yf4/s1920/pexels-pixabay-533446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNDKQmpSs0mvKytqiSk-f2D81_JgvOWjTlD8TCCa2ptGOgzs3i-XGX1WaD-sffgi5FXWVWvVT-8B6i3bgr8vASo9_xiy3Ogl4XCMFDzabQZDQ42fTK5XXTu5g_ZAgUi8r2kE02EB6yf4/s320/pexels-pixabay-533446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #656565; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">With the ever-increasing presence of social media, including websites like YouTube where content can generate income, copyright infringement is escalating at alarming rates. Unfortunately, it is no secret that the cost of enforcing copyright through the courts is expensive. To mitigate these costs, this article will provide some tips on how to enforce copyright outside the courtroom.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Enforcing Copyright</span></strong></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The traditional pre-litigation enforcement tool is a demand letter. However, consideration should also be given to the <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</em> ‘Notice and Notice Regime’ and where applicable, the social media platform(s) internal notice systems.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Traditional Pre-Litigation Demand Letters</span></strong></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Obviously, the stronger the identity of a right is explained in a demand letter the more likely the letter will have an effect. Fortunately, obtaining a copyright registration is extremely quick and relatively inexpensive. As such, consideration should be given to whether to register a copyright before the delivery of a demand letter.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Pre-Litigation Notice Letters</span></strong></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To avoid litigation, the federal government and social media platforms have created an alternate pathway to enforce copyright and settle disputes.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notice and Notice Regime</span></strong></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To deal with growing copyright infringement that occurs via intermediaries without initiating litigation, the federal government added section 41.25, to the <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</em>, which sets up the Notice and Notice Regime.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Notice and Notice Regime is a voluntary-industry based system in which copyright owners can notify an intermediary, including social media platforms, that they are hosting copyright infringing material. The social media platform would then notify the copyright violator, usually by forwarding the letter they have received. Additionally, intermediaries are obligated to retain records about the alleged copyright infringement for six months after the notice is issued. Intermediaries commonly include internet service providers (ISPs).</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Automatic Forwarding</span></strong></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unfortunately, the original system was subject to abuse as social media platforms tended to forward all copyright notices they received in order to limit their liability. Copyright trolls and other nefarious entities would bulk mail, and email, standardized letters to social media platforms, which they would forward to the alleged infringers. These letters were used to effectively extort settlement money from alleged infringers.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To prevent this abuse, the federal government amended section 41.25 (3) of the <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Copyright Act</em> to prohibit these notices from containing:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">An offer to settle the claimed infringement;</span></li><li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">A request or demand, made in relation to the claimed infringement, for payment or for personal information;</span></li><li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">A reference, including by way of hyperlink, to such an offer, request or demand; and</span></li><li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Any other information that may be prescribed by regulation.</span></li></ul><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If a notice containing any of the above is sent to an intermediary, they are no longer obligated to forward the notice or maintain any records of it. However, in practice, social media companies often still forward these notices without reviewing them. Therefore, it is important to determine the actual source of the notice and its content.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Internal Notice System</span></strong></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Virtually all social media platforms have developed their own copyright notice systems and policies to deal with and notify alleged copyright violators. However, YouTube and other social media platforms send out many different types of notices. Each different type of notice can result in different consequences. Thus, it is important to identify not only: (a) who is sending the notice (e.g. a lawyer, social media platform or alleged copyright holder); but also (b) what type of notice is being sent. Only after knowing both, who the sender is and what type of notice it is, can a recipient better understand the proper actions to take.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is important to remember that regardless how far a copyright holder is along the notice path, copyright holders can still initiate legal action separately and independently at any time. The copyright holder always has the option to initiate legal proceedings.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you are considering sending a cease and desist letter relating to intellectual property infringement, or if you have received such a letter, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation. Also, stay tuned for a separate article discussing specifically YouTube’s internal controls for IP infringement.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more information please contact:<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy85892%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy85892%20=%20addy85892%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy85892%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy85892);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a></span></span></p><div style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/oismaili" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Osman Ismaili, Patent Associate</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.1054<br />E: <span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy72850%20=%20'oismaili'%20+%20'@';%20addy72850%20=%20addy72850%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy72850%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy72850);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:oismaili@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">oismaili@mbm.com</a></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</span></em><span face="Tahoma, sans-serif" style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; border: 0px; color: black; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></em></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-53677979217083443032020-10-14T09:34:00.066-04:002020-10-14T10:32:39.336-04:00High Stakes: Protecting Your Cannabis Intellectual Property<br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdWkZJiPEX8RUZNT-jU8R9L5mw2jMxpDdTRunbOiB971WYTew0EZZYPTBc68OhoYY0GZE9LyfsgEf6o2CyGeazZzzot0JQKyPg0v3r0IhCzA4JRVcVTnlPVZl92anQ1PTsmXFeUm-3tg/w320-h214/pexels-harrison-haines-3536257.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;">It has been almost two years since the federal legalization of cannabis, and Canada’s legal cannabis market is quickly blossoming into a massive industry. The market is constantly growing with many US states (e.g., Illinois) and Europe embracing regulatory change. Market research predicts that the global legal cannabis market could reach CAD $100 billion by 2027<a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"></a>[1].</span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;">While medical cannabis has traditionally been a source of intellectual property (IP), legalization is sure to bring an influx of applications in the coming years. Therefore, understanding and deploying your IP toolbox to its fullest potential is the best means of ensuring strong protection of your IP assets. This article will briefly discuss some of the tools that cannabis businesses should consider when creating a robust IP moat around their products and services.<br /><br />Patents in the cannabis industry can include novel or modified active ingredients, methods for the isolation of novel cannabinoids, novel formulations of active ingredients, genetically modified cells, and the use of compositions comprising cannabinoids for treatment.<br /><br />In addition to patents, Plant Breeders Rights (PBRs) are an excellent complement and can be used to protect new cannabis plant varieties. PBRs are a form of intellectual property that specifically protects new plant varieties and offers exclusivity in terms of the sale, production, reproduction, import and export of the variety. This protection can be further extended beyond Canada by filing an international application.<br /><br />While higher life forms are not patentable subject matter in Canada<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/328-high-stakes-protecting-your-cannabis-intellectual-property#_ftn2"></a>[2], genetically modified cells and methods of producing such cells are patentable<a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/328-high-stakes-protecting-your-cannabis-intellectual-property#_ftn3"></a>[3]. New plant varieties that have been produced by traditional breeding methods are not patentable and as a result, are only eligible for protection under PBR. As such, businesses should take advantage of both regimes by obtaining a patent to protect genetically modified cells and PBRs to extend protection to the resulting plant variety.<br /><br />In order to be granted protection under PBRs, the variety must meet the following criteria:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;"><u><b>New:</b></u> the variety may not have been sold longer than 1 year in Canada and 4 years outside Canada;</span></li><li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;"><u><b>Distinct:</b> </u>the variety must be distinguishable from varieties whose existence was common knowledge on the date of filing;</span></li><li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;"><u><b>Stable: </b></u>the variety must express a stable set of characteristics throughout propagation; and</span></li><li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;"><u><b>Uniform:</b></u> the variety must exhibit characteristics that are consistent between plants within the variety.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;">Industrial designs are another useful tool in your IP arsenal and can be used to protect the three-dimensional features of a shape and configuration, as well as the two-dimensional features (patterns and ornaments) of finished products intended to be sold (e.g., cannabis cigarettes). Once granted, an industrial design offers protection for up to 15 years. Businesses should also be aware that Health Canada has strict regulations surrounding the packaging design for cannabis products.<br /><br />Trademark registration is another available tool cannabis businesses should employ to protect their brand. It is important to be mindful that, for example, cannabis products or any related service cannot be promoted by depiction of a person, character, or animal, whether real or fictional. For additional information, check out our recent <a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/320-dont-let-your-trademark-go-up-in-smoke-smoking-is-cool-branding-is-prohibited-under-canadas-cannabis-act">article</a> about how to properly protect your cannabis-related trademarks. Canadian businesses should also be aware that American companies might choose to register their trademarks in Canada due to some difficulty in obtaining a cannabis-related trademark in the US.<br /><br />Utilizing and deploying the proper tools in your IP toolbox is the best way to maximize the value of your cannabis business. Consult a professional at MBM to discuss how to best protect your IP portfolio.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more information please contact:</span></span></p><div class="content" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 726px;"><div class="item-page" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0.0001pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0.0001pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/poonam_tauh" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Poonam Tauh, Ph.D., Senior Patent Agent</span></a></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">T: 403.800.9018</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16.1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">E: </span><span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><a href="mailm: <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy35364 = 'ptauh' + '@'; addy35364 = addy35364 + 'mbm' + '.' + 'com'; document.write('<a ' + path + '\'' + prefix + ':' + addy35364 + '\'>'); document.write(addy35364); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n </script><script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('<span style=\'display: none;\'>'); //--> </script>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <script type='text/javascript'> <!-- document.write('</'); document.write('span>'); //--> </script>" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a></span><a href="mailto:ptauh@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ptauh@mbm.com</a></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br clear="all" /></span><hr align="left" size="1" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" width="33%" /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/328-high-stakes-protecting-your-cannabis-intellectual-property#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[1] <a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-legal-marijuana-market" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-legal-marijuana-market" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-legal-marijuana-market</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/328-high-stakes-protecting-your-cannabis-intellectual-property#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[2] Harvard College v. Canada (Commissioner of Patents), 2002 SCC 76.</span></p></div><div style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/news-and-resources/newsletters/12-news/328-high-stakes-protecting-your-cannabis-intellectual-property#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""></a>[3] Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser, 2004 SCC 34.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p></div></div></div></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;"><i>This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. <br />This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual <br />Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel </i></span><div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial;"><i>free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</i></span></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-85136803438486715682020-09-30T11:04:00.000-04:002020-09-30T11:04:18.905-04:00Federal Court Finds CIPO Examination Practice Out of Line with Supreme Court Precedents<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T4pXvs7XkwhUWNVVxaKocgZFnZ_2FyxWk29kFFVEgVm7W_KVhPq0pn931kSZ4HKn2TQMDpX-g6V3ql3VOfve8e3-dKAN2MMP7O3r8gNI0Q95jBvaBeulam5M6GVKfOvxb0ZnL9Tv7SI/s610/canada-spam-law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T4pXvs7XkwhUWNVVxaKocgZFnZ_2FyxWk29kFFVEgVm7W_KVhPq0pn931kSZ4HKn2TQMDpX-g6V3ql3VOfve8e3-dKAN2MMP7O3r8gNI0Q95jBvaBeulam5M6GVKfOvxb0ZnL9Tv7SI/s320/canada-spam-law.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="color: #656565; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">The Federal Court in a recent decision found a wide-reaching examination practice respecting purposive construction that was introduced by The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) 7 years ago, to be against principles of purposive construction set forth by the Supreme Court and damaging to the prosecution of patents in several technology areas.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">CIPO issued practice notice PN2013-02 entitled “Examination Practice Respecting Purposive Construction” on March 8, 2013 that instructed Examiners to frame their purposive construction of the claims through a problem and solution lens. In particular, it was CIPO’s position in this practice notice that “identification of the problem and the solution provided by the invention informs the purposive construction of the claims” and that only those elements that solved the identified problem were essential.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A second practice notice (PN2013-03) entitled Examination Practice Respecting Computer-Implemented Inventions was also issued that detailed using the problem and solution framed “purposive construction” for the examination of applications directed to computer implemented methods.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Two subsequent practice notices (PN2015-01 and PN2015-02) were also issued that detailed using the problem and solution framed “purposive construction” for the examination of applications directed to medical uses and medical diagnostic methods.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These CIPO practices significantly and negatively impacted prosecution in many areas of technology including computer implement methods, personalized medicine, diagnostics and biotechnology. In fact, to date, there have been 31 Patent Appeal Board decisions that referenced practice notice PN2013-02, ten of which included statutory subject matter objections. Of these ten, seven were refused outright.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were also 84 Patent Appeal Board decisions that referenced practice notice PN2013-03 and 8 Patent Appeal Board decisions that reference practice notice PN2015-01.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Federal Court in the recent <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Choueifaty v. Canada (Attorney General)</em> decision (2020 FC 837) turned their eyes to CIPO’s practice of using the problem and the solution approach to inform purposive construction of the claims. This decision specifically reviewed Patent Appeal Board decision 1478 that specifically referenced PN 2013-03. Although <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Choueifaty v. Canada</em> does not specifically reference the practice notices, the Court referenced the Manual of Patent of Practice 13.05.02 which incorporated the content of practice notice PN2013-02. The Court found:</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0in 42.55pt 8pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">[31] It is evident on a reading of the MOPOP that the Commissioner, notwithstanding stating that the patent claims are to be construed in a purposive manner, <strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">does not intend or direct patent examiners to follow the teachings of <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Free World Trust</span></em> and <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Whirlpool</span></em>. </strong>…</span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0in 42.55pt 8pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">[37] The Appellant submits, and I agree, <strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that using the problem-solution approach to claims construction is akin to using the <span class="citationcar1" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“substance of the invention”</span> approach discredited by the Supreme Court of Canada in <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Free World Trust </span></em></strong>at para 46.<em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> …</em></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0in 42.55pt 8pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">[40] For these reasons, I find that the <strong style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Commissioner erred in determining the essential elements of the claimed invention by using the problem-solution approach, rather than the approach <em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Whirlpool </span></em>directs be used. </strong><em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(Emphasis added)</em><em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></em></span></p><p style="border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 14.2667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">MBM</span> welcomes this decision from the Federal Court that affirms our longstanding position that CIPO’s problem and solution framed “purposive construction” was inconsistent with the principles set forth by the Supreme Court of Canada.<br /><br /></span></p><div style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For more information please contact:<br /><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/claire_palmer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Claire Palmer, Senior Patent Agent</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.0450<br />E: <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy60115%20=%20'cpalmer'%20+%20'@';%20addy60115%20=%20addy60115%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy60115%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy60115);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:cpalmer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">cpalmer@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/kay_palmer" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kay Palmer, Senior Patent Agent</span><br /></a>T: 613.801.0452<br />E: <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy37451%20=%20'kpalmer'%20+%20'@';%20addy37451%20=%20addy37451%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy37451%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy37451);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></a><a href="mailto:kpalmer@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">kpalmer@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</span></em></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></em></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-29242901029976716842020-09-24T22:17:00.029-04:002020-09-25T09:22:01.762-04:00Supreme Court of Canada dismisses Apotex’s application for leave to appeal in non-infringing alternatives defence saga<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFGKd0UV2plCZmy1cnQtvXVxzwG5GXuaumDX99-hnUYsChhSFATdX4rV_toJwnNtVolJsEz8rrMHR6SQALrdOPT5lfTEAztpfTfIRRgLQZaGAIa17MCAl4wZCPgJ5zk4VD-FH1dX7ee0/s310/canadalaw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFGKd0UV2plCZmy1cnQtvXVxzwG5GXuaumDX99-hnUYsChhSFATdX4rV_toJwnNtVolJsEz8rrMHR6SQALrdOPT5lfTEAztpfTfIRRgLQZaGAIa17MCAl4wZCPgJ5zk4VD-FH1dX7ee0/s0/canadalaw.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For a non-infringing alternatives defence to be successful, each
component of the test for the defence must be established.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 11pt;">In <i><a href="https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/news/en/item/6945/index.do">Apotex Inc.
and Apotex Pharmachem Inc. v. ADIR and Servier Canada Inc.</a></i> (F.C.)
(Civil) (By Leave) the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) dismissed an application
for leave to appeal brought by Apotex Inc. and Apotex Pharmachem Inc.
(collectively, “Apotex”).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 11pt;">At the trial level, Apotex had raised as a defence the
availability of non-infringing perindopril from sources outside of Canada, but
the Federal Court had determined that Apotex had failed to establish one
component of the defence. As a result, Apotex was not eligible for a reduction
in the amount of profits it was required to disgorge. This decision was upheld
by the Federal Court of Appeal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 11pt;">Following the same line of reasoning, the SCC dismissed the
application with costs.<br /></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span style="border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #656565; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #656565; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy46911%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy46911%20=%20addy46911%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy46911%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy46911);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a></span></p><p></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.mbm.com/en/our-team/userprofile/oismaili" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Osman Ismaili, Patent Associate</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></a>T: 613.801.1054<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />E:<span style="color: #656565;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy92415%20=%20'oismaili'%20+%20'@';%20addy92415%20=%20addy92415%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy92415%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy92415);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:oismaili@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">oismaili@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8946595585571367819.post-52275233552328168302020-09-16T10:24:00.116-04:002020-09-16T12:04:55.350-04:00Common Patent Misconceptions - Myth #4 - Disclosures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWudMKJFJGASL9NQwXW4mpJBS17iM2UhUVsPxkXYaivZXmteFTqhlP7XpCNlxrOYmeQcqy4eS2Vvoih2nkEQjzJN1wgMR-DYQmR3uAI2SPaV9_qEvKtHCCyRgGXvFHE8WAWtTOJaR8NEo/s1600/Light+Bulb+Field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWudMKJFJGASL9NQwXW4mpJBS17iM2UhUVsPxkXYaivZXmteFTqhlP7XpCNlxrOYmeQcqy4eS2Vvoih2nkEQjzJN1wgMR-DYQmR3uAI2SPaV9_qEvKtHCCyRgGXvFHE8WAWtTOJaR8NEo/s640/Light+Bulb+Field.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is part of a series on commonly held misconceptions about patents. Many prospective patentees often have unfounded reservations about patenting their inventions. The aim of this series of short articles is to debunk these common myths around patent protection.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Patent Myth #4:</span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Even if I publicly disclose my invention, I can still get a patent application filed by the 12-month mark from the disclosure, without any repercussions.</span></strong></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This myth is only <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">partly true</span> with an important caveat. Yes, Canada, the US, and a few other countries offer a special type of grace period for inventors who have made a public disclosure of their invention. The inventors have until 12 months from the date of their public disclosure to file for patent protection within each of those countries. “Within each of those countries” is very important to remember, which means that if an invention is publicly disclosed anywhere in the world and protection is intended to be sought, for example, in both Canada and the US, then both a Canadian national filing and a US national filing must take place before the 12-month period expires.<br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Public disclosure is where you have disclosed your invention to anyone who is not bound by a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement to keep your invention a secret. Does this mean that there is still a risk in publicly disclosing an invention before officially filing your patent? Yes, there is a risk that you might not get your patent in some major jurisdictions that do not offer the one-year grace period from the date of public disclosure.<span style="border: 0px; color: red; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In fact, while only a handful of jurisdictions allow for this one-year grace period, most other jurisdictions around the world do not, and require “absolute novelty” (which essentially means <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">there must not be any sort of public disclosure before the filing date of the application</span>). “Absolute novelty” requiring countries include Europe and Asia, two massive markets which a company certainly may not want to miss out on, depending on the type of invention and their market expansion goals.<br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is also very important to note that the grace period works a little differently in Canada compared to the US, because of US provisional patent applications. In the US, if an invention was publicly disclosed on January 1, 2019, then a US national filing must occur by<span style="border: 0px; color: red; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>January 1, 2020 (1 year after). This first US filing could be a <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">provisional application</span>, which is essentially a temporary, informal application. Subsequently, one <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">more</span> year after that, by January 1, 2021, the US provisional application needs to be converted to a regular, full US application.<br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Meanwhile, in Canada, there is no equivalent to a US provisional application and as a result, only full applications can be filed in Canada and must be filed within the 12-months period from the date of disclosure. This means that, if an invention was disclosed (anywhere in the world) on January 1, 2019, and if a US provisional patent application was filed on December 31, 2019, a full Canadian application <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">must still</span> be filed by <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">January 1, 2020 (only 1 year after disclosure)</span>. In Canada, a formal Canadian application <span style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">is the only national application</span> that can be filed once a public disclosure has been made.<br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You may be thinking that the US system essentially allows applicants to file a US formal application almost two years after a public disclosure, and the Canadian system provides only one year for a Canadian application – and you are absolutely correct. It is important to remember this significant difference between US and Canadian patent law.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">While a US provisional application could still be used as a priority document for a later Canadian filing, the Canadian application must be filed within 12 months from the date of public disclosure.<br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you have an idea that you feel may be patentable and you are considering disclosing it in any way, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></p><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For more information please contact:<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a com="" href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy46911%20=%20'smiller'%20+%20'@';%20addy46911%20=%20addy46911%20+%20'mbm'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'\''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy46911%20+%20'\'%3E');%20document.write(addy46911);%20document.write('%3C\/a%3E');%20//--%3E\n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=\'display:%20none;\'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20e-mail%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E" mailm:smiller="" mbm="" style="border: 0px; 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color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #ff6600; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><a href="mailto:oismaili@mbm.com" style="border: 0px; color: #be5f16; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">oismaili@mbm.com</a></span></p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This article is general information only and is not to be taken as legal or professional advice. This article does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MBM Intellectual Property Law LLP. If you would like more information about intellectual property, please feel free to reach out to MBM for a free consultation.</em></p></div><div style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></em></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Debbie Malekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03066722756173567146noreply@blogger.com0