Connect in-person with Smart & Biggar at INTA 2022

Smart & Biggar’s leading Canadian trademarks team at INTA Annual Meeting Live+.

Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that several members of our Trademarks team will be attending the 144th International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting, live and in-person after a two-year hiatus and virtual meetings.

Our INTA team of trademark lawyers and agents are looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues and clients from around the world, as they gather together in Washington, DC to attend the INTA Annual Meeting Live+ from April 30 – May 4, 2022.

Not attending INTA? Check out our trademark resources below on recent developments in Canadian Trademarks & Brand Protection.

Trademarks Webinar Series.

Trademarks between Friends: Key differences in Canadian and U.S. Trademarks practice

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Christian Bolduc & Graham Hood

In this webinar, we will discuss key differences between Canadian and U.S. trademarks practices that often come as a big surprise to brand owners looking to protect their trademarks in the Great White North.

Canadian Brand Protection, eh?: Enforcing Trademarks in Canada from oppositions to litigation

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Mark Evans & Ekaterina Tsimberis

In this webinar, we will explore recent developments 'north of the border' as well as effective strategies and best practices for successful trademark protection in Canada.

Distinctly Canadian: Unique aspects of Trademark prosecution in Canada

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Kwan T. Loh & Tierney GB Deluzio

In this webinar, we will explore Canada-specific issues that brand owners should keep in mind when looking to protect their trademarks in Canada. For example, use is not required to obtain a Canadian registration and CIPO examiners can reject an application on the basis that the mark lacks distinctiveness.

Insights and Recent Articles.

Generative art NFTs - what brand owners need to know about copyright protection

The market demand for NFTs is creating new opportunities and an increase in the use of automated methods for generating underlying artworks. In this article, we examine the IP impacts of this trend and look at whether copyright may subsist in generative art NFT collections in Canada.

Bill 96 Update: Amendments to the Charter of the French language

Bill 96 was introduced in May 2021 to reinforce the provisions of the Charter of the French Language (the “Charter”). The Bill has since remained at the committee stage, where it is being studied in detail by a parliamentary committee of Québec’s National Assembly. At the committee stage, certain amendments to the Bill may be proposed, discussed, and adopted.

Place names not registrable trademarks in Canada: New case maps out old territory

In Nia Wine Group Co, Ltd v North 42 Degrees Estate Winery Inc, 2022 FC 241, the Federal Court determined “place of origin” should be broadly interpreted “to refer to any geographical designation.” It was the first time a court expressly considered the meaning of the phrase, and so will serve as direction for future applications unless it is appealed and overturned.

Connect with us at INTA.

Connect with us next week during the conference for valuable tips and strategies to navigate the trademark landscape in Canada.

Mark Biernacki

Partner, Toronto

Smart & Biggar LLP

Barrister and Solicitor

Patent and Trademark Agent

mgbiernacki@smartbiggar.ca

Christian Bolduc

Partner, Montréal

Smart & Biggar LLP

Barrister and Solicitor

Trademark Agent

cbolduc@smartbiggar.ca

Graham Hood

Partner, Toronto

Smart & Biggar LLP

Barrister and Solicitor

Trademark Agent

ghood@smartbiggar.ca

Jamie-Lynn Kraft

Senior Associate, Ottawa

Smart & Biggar LLP

Barrister and Solicitor

Trademark Agent

jkraft@smartbiggar.ca

Kwan T. Loh

Counsel, Vancouver

Smart & Biggar LLP

Barrister and Solicitor

Trademark Agent

ktloh@smartbiggar.ca

Ekaterina Tsimberis

Partner, Montréal

Smart & Biggar LLP

Barrister and Solicitor

Trademark Agent

Not attending INTA?

We welcome the opportunity to connect with you virtually at any time and encourage you to reach out to a member of our Trademarks practice.

Smart & Biggar is widely recognized as Canada’s leading firm for intellectual property law, with offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver and Calgary. We are leaders in intellectual property and technology law and have been serving clients for over a century.