From Mary Bellis,
Your Guide to Inventors.
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Who governs and decides intellectual property law in Canada? Where can you get intellectual property protection that provides coverage in Canada. The answer is CIPO - the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

Note: Does a patent in Canada protect rights in other countries? No. Patent laws are national so you must obtain a patent in each country in which you want protection. Did you know that 95% of Canadian patents and 40% of US patents were granted to foreign nationals?

Canadian Intellectual Property Office

English/French language The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), a Special Operating Agency (SOA) associated with Industry Canada, is responsible for the administration and processing of the greater part of intellectual property in Canada. CIPO's areas of activity include: patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and integrated circuit topographies.

• Canadian Patent Law
  The Manual of Patent Office Practice (MOPOP) is maintained to ensure that it reflects the latest developments in the Canadian patent laws and practices.

Patent and Trademark Databases

If your idea has ever been patented before, you will not eligible for a patent. While hiring a professional is recommended an inventor should do at least preliminary search themselves and if capable a complete search. One purpose of a trademark search is to determine if someone has already trademarked your intended mark.

• Search Engine for Canadian Patents
  This database lets you access over 75 years of patent descriptions and images. You can search, retrieve and study more than 1,400,000 patent documents.
• International Patent Searches
• Search Engine for Canadian Trademarks
  The search result(s) will contain the Trade-mark, Status, Application number, and Registration number (if it exists) of the document.
• International Trademark Searches

Patent Classification

Patent classification is a numbered filing system that helps manage the huge databases of patents. Patents are assigned a class number and name (not to be mistaken for issue number) based on what type of invention it is. Since 1978 Canada has used the International Patent Classification (IPC) which is maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), one of 16 specialised agencies of the United Nations.

• International Patent Classification (IPC)

Support, Funding & Awards - National

• Industry Canada
  Programs and Services — By Subject
• Canadian Technology Network
  If you run a small or medium-sized technology related business in Canada, the Canadian Technology Network can give you access to a wide range of technology and related business assistance through a cross-country network of advisors.
• Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
  IRAP has four main components:
  1. Technology Expertise and Advisory Services
  2. Financial Assistance for R&D activities
  3. Networking
  4. Partnerships
  Canadian enterprises with under 500 employees and industrial associations desiring to enhance their technological capability are eligible for support.
• Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation
  Awards by nomination Canadians who have demonstrated recent innovative talent in developing and successfully marketing a new concept, process or procedure, may be eligible for one of these awards: Principal Award ($100,000), Award of Distinction ($25,000), Innovation Awards (2 at $10,000).

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