Region: Canada

Canadian IP giants merge; Blockbuster bar forced to change name; Starbucks accused of trade secrets misappropriation – news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at Vans settling the WAVY BABY dispute, Mark Wahlberg’s burger chain settling a trademark dispute with a burger truck, and more.

23 August 2024

Is the tide finally turning at CIPO?

A combination of steps taken by CIPO and changes in Canadian trademark law and practice seem to finally be having an effect on the backlog of unexamined trademark applications.

06 August 2024

FTC urged to enforce INFORM, Taiwan revises dispute guidelines, Poland amends copyright law – legislation and policy watch (July 2024)

WTR’s monthly column tracks trademark and related policy developments, including the progress of major bills, from around the world.

29 July 2024

Quebec’s language law regulations leave brand owners guessing

Final regulations leave ambiguities around what will need to be translated, potentially placing a significant burden on brands.

23 July 2024

Innovation at the Canadian IP Office: spotlight on cutting-edge tools and services

Featured in IP office tools and services

In a major update, representatives from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office exclusively reveal the agency’s innovative tools and services – and those planned for the future.

08 July 2024

Register Tracker Europe and North America: January-April 2024

Featured in Trademark register tracker

WTR analyses trademark filing trends at major North American and European registers.

25 June 2024

Canada: burden falls on brand owners and Customs in the fight against counterfeiters

Featured in Anti-counterfeiting and Online Brand Enforcement: Global Guide 2024

While the Request for Assistance programme with Canadian border enforcement can provide crucial information when pursuing remedies, the lack of a singular legislation governing the extent to which a counterfeiter is in violation of the law – and the potential recourse available – is a major problem for rights holders. As a result, it is often up to them to police the market in collaboration with Customs.

24 June 2024

Regime overhauls in the Americas: how to navigate bumps in the road

A deep dive into the WTR Americas Trademark Prosecution Review 2024 sheds light on the hurdles that IP offices and rights holders are facing when it comes to legislative and administrative changes across the region.

14 June 2024

Canada: Streamlining applications in the face of new IP office and legislative hurdles

After a legislative overhaul in 2019, trademark practitioners and brand owners have faced challenges with Canada’s new trademark regime. While most have successfully adapted, amendments to the Québec Charter of French Language coming into effect June 2025 and structural shifts at the CIPO could present further hurdles for both rights holders and the courts.

14 June 2024

Protecting the shape of products: lessons from two recent cases

Two recent decisions show that copyright is not the most effective means to protect the shape of mass-produced products sold in Canada.

31 May 2024