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Canadian Intellectual Property Office

{{short description|Canadian government agency}}

{{Infobox government agency

| name = Canadian Intellectual Property Office

| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|fr|Office de la propriété intellectuelle du Canada}}}}

| agency_type = Special operating agency

| logo = File:Canadian Intellectual Property Office Logo.png

| logo_caption = Official bilingual (French and English) logo of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office

| image = File:Place du Portage I et II.jpg

| image_caption = Place du Portage Phase I building (left) where the Canadian Intellectual Property Office headquarters are located in Gatineau, Quebec

| jurisdiction = Government of Canada

| status =

| headquarters = Gatineau, Quebec{{Cite web|title=Contact: Canadian Intellectual Property Office|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00006.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-04-28.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305215445/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00006.html |archive-date=2009-03-05 }}

| coordinates = {{coord|45.428499|-75.712720|display=inline,title}}

| employees = 1,000 ({{as of|2019|lc=y}}){{Cite web|title=Annual Report 2017–2018|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04468.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2019-02-11.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204100343/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04468.html |archive-date=2019-02-04 }}

| budget =

| minister1_name = François-Philippe Champagne

| minister1_pfo = Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

| chief1_name = Konstantinos Georgaras{{Cite web|title=Konstantinos Georgaras, Chief Executive Officer (interim)|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04679.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-09-11.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831005549/http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04679.html |archive-date=2019-08-31 }}

| chief1_position = Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trademarks and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Intellectual Property Officer

| parent_department = Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

| child1_agency = Patent Branch

| child2_agency = Trademarks and Industrial Design Branch

| child3_agency = Corporate Strategies and Services

| child4_agency = Business Services Branch

| child5_agency = Programs Branch

| child6_agency = Patent Appeal Board

| child7_agency = Trademarks Opposition Board{{cite web|url=http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04681.html|title=Organizational structure|publisher=Government of Canada|date=2020-01-06}}

| website = {{URL|http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/home}}

}}

{{Canadian patent law}}

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO; French: Office de la propriété intellectuelle du Canada, OPIC) is responsible for the administration and processing of the greater part of intellectual property (IP) in Canada. CIPO's areas of activity include patents, trademarks, copyright, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies.{{cite web |author=Staff writer |author-link1=|year=2024 |location= |title=Country Profiles Contact Information: Canada |script-title= |title-link= |url=https://www.wipo.int/directory/en/contact.jsp?country_code=CA&type=ADMIN |url-access= |trans-title= |department= |website=www.wipo.int |script-website= |trans-website= |agency=World Intellectual Property Org. (WIPO) |arxiv= |asin= |asin-tld= |bibcode= |bibcode-access= |biorxiv= |citeseerx= |doi= |doi-access= |eissn= |hdl= |hdl-access= |isbn= |ismn= |issn= |jfm= |jstor= |jstor-access= |lccn= |medrxiv= |mr= |oclc= |ol= |ol-access= |osti= |osti-access= |pmc= |pmid= |rfc= |sbn= |ssrn= |s2cid= |s2cid-access= |zbl= |id= |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-format= |archive-date= |access-date=3 February 2025 |via= |quote-page= |quote-pages= |quote= |script-quote= |trans-quote= }} Structurally, CIPO functions as a special operating agency (SOA) under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.{{Cite web|title=Canadian Intellectual Property Office|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/home|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-07-08.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509020737/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/home |archive-date=2009-05-09 }} CIPO is based in Gatineau, Quebec, part of the National Capital Region.{{Cite web|title=Contact: Canadian Intellectual Property Office|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00006.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-04-28.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305215445/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00006.html |archive-date=2009-03-05 }} CIPO’s Chief Executive Officer is Konstantinos Georgaras.{{Cite web|title=Konstantinos Georgaras, Chief Executive Officer (interim)|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04679.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-09-11.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831005549/http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04679.html |archive-date=2019-08-31 }}

CIPO plays an integral role in the Canadian innovation ecosystem and cooperates with its counterpart organizations around the world through international IP treaties.{{Cite web|title=Canada has joined 5 international intellectual property treaties|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr02322.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2019-10-31.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620233804/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr02322.html |archive-date=2010-06-20 }} Continued collaboration with international partners and domestic stakeholders strengths the Canadian IP regime and provides CIPO’s clients with opportunities to extract greater value from their creations and inventions.

In 2019, Canada ratified and fully implemented the Hague Agreement for industrial designs; the Madrid Protocol, the Singapore Treaty and the Nice Agreement for trademarks; and the Patent Law Treaty for patents.{{Cite web|title=Canada has joined 5 international intellectual property treaties|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr02322.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2019-10-31.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620233804/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr02322.html |archive-date=2010-06-20 }} Prior to 2019, Canada had joined the TRIPS Agreement and the Paris Convention for intellectual property; the WIPO Convention for trademarks and copyright; the Berne Convention, the Rome Convention and the Marrakesh VIP Treaty for copyright; and the Budapest Treaty, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the Strasbourg Agreement and the UPOV Convention for patents.{{Cite web|title=Canada has joined 5 international intellectual property treaties|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr02322.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2019-10-31.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620233804/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr02322.html |archive-date=2010-06-20 }}

In 2020, CIPO received approximately 160,000 applications to register more than 37,000 patents, 76,000 trademarks, 12,500 copyrights and 8,000 industrial designs.{{Cite web|title=2020–2021 Annual Report – Canadian Intellectual Property Office|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00026.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618055257/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00026.html |archive-date=2010-06-18 }}

{{TOC limit|3}}

Mandate

CIPO is responsible for processing applications to register patents, trademarks, copyrights and industrial designs.{{Cite web|title=Annual Report 2017–2018|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04468.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2019-02-11.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204100343/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr04468.html |archive-date=2019-02-04 }} CIPO's mandate is to provide this service and, more generally, to provide education on intellectual property to Canadians.{{Cite web|title=CIPO mandate|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00025.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2019-01-31.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509215212/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00025.html |archive-date=2009-05-09 }} By modernizing the national IP system and collaborating with its international counterparts, CIPO helps innovators and entrepreneurs grow their business in global markets and attract foreign investments to Canada.{{Cite web|title=2020–2021 Annual Report – Canadian Intellectual Property Office|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00026.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618055257/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00026.html |archive-date=2010-06-18 }}

Trademarks

{{see also|Canadian trademark law}}

A trademark can protect a combination of words, sounds or designs used to distinguish your goods or services from those of others in the marketplace. CIPO administers the Trademarks Act, Trademarks Regulations, the Olympic and Paralympic Marks Act and the Olympic and Paralympic Marks Regulations.{{Cite web|title=Trademarks|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00002.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-07-13.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311054647/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00002.html |archive-date=2009-03-11 }} In particular, the Trademarks and Industrial Design Branch is responsible for processing filings, conducting examinations and approving or refusing applications.{{Cite web|title=How your trademark application is processed|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00035.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2018-03-08.|date=27 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927065919/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00035.html |archive-date=2009-09-27 }}{{Cite web|title=IP roadmap – Your path to trademark registration|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04355.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-07-10.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324124629/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr04355.html? |archive-date=2018-03-24 }} If a trademark application is refused, there is a right of appeal to the Federal Court of Canada. If a trademark application is approved, the Trademarks and Industrial Design Branch is also responsible for advertising it in the [https://www.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/tmj/eng/home.html Trademarks Journal] and, ultimately, processing the registration and renewal of the trademark. However, if an opposition is filed during the advertisement stage, the application is referred to the [https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00120.html Trademarks Opposition Board] (another body within CIPO) for adjudication.

Patents

{{see also|Canadian patent law}}

A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, such as a product or a process. CIPO administers the Patent Act and Patent Rules.{{Cite web|title=Patents|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00001.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-07-13.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304135623/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00001.html |archive-date=2009-03-04 }} More specifically, the Patent Branch is responsible for processing filings, conducting examinations and approving or refusing applications.{{Cite web|title=Patents|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00001.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-07-13.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304135623/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00001.html |archive-date=2009-03-04 }} If a patent application is refused, there is a right of appeal to the Commissioner of Patents.{{Cite web|title=Patents|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00001.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-07-13.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304135623/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00001.html |archive-date=2009-03-04 }} This review is conducted by an administrative body within CIPO, the [https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr01971.html Patent Appeal Board].{{Cite web|title=Patents|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00001.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-07-13.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304135623/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00001.html |archive-date=2009-03-04 }}

Copyright

{{see also|Copyright law of Canada}}

Copyright provides protection for literary, artistic, dramatic and musical creations. CIPO administers the  Copyright Act  and  Copyright Regulations.{{Cite web|title=Copyright|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00003.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2018-04-27.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304134212/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00003.html |archive-date=2009-03-04 }} CIPO is responsible for processing copyright applications, assignments and licences.{{Cite web|title=A guide to copyright|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02281.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2019-08-27.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404125414/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02281.html |archive-date=2010-04-04 }}

Industrial designs

{{see also|Industrial design right#Canada}}

Industrial design registration provides protection for the original visual features of a product. CIPO administers the Industrial Design Act and the Industrial Design Regulations.{{Cite web|title=Industrial designs|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00004.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-07-13.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105215715/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00004.html |archive-date=2009-11-05 }} CIPO is responsible for processing filings, conducting examinations and approving or refusing applications.{{Cite web|title=Industrial designs guide|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02300.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-06-30.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617051916/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02300.html |archive-date=2010-06-17 }} If an industrial design application is considered for refusal, the decision can be reviewed by the [https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr01971.html Patent Appeal Board].{{Cite web|title=Industrial designs guide|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02300.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-06-30.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617051916/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02300.html |archive-date=2010-06-17 }} If the application is ultimately refused, the decision can be appealed to the Federal Court of Canada.{{Cite web|title=Industrial designs guide|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02300.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2020-06-30.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617051916/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02300.html |archive-date=2010-06-17 }}

Integrated circuit topographies

{{see also|Integrated Circuit Topography Act}}

Integrated circuit topographies refers to the three-dimensional configurations of electronic circuits embodied in integrated circuit products or layout designs. CIPO administers the Integrated Circuit Topography Act and the Integrated Circuit Topography Regulations.{{Cite web|title=Integrated Circuit Topographies|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02301.html#ict|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2015-06-01.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406021136/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02301.html |archive-date=2010-04-06 }} CIPO is responsible for processing integrated circuit topography applications, assignments and licences.{{Cite web|title=A Guide to Integrated Circuit Topographies|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02282.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2015-10-02.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619172321/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr02282.html |archive-date=2010-06-19 }}{{Cite web|title=Filing of Other Particulars|url=https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr01389.html|url-status=live|website=Government of Canada. 2015-06-01.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012094847/http://www.ic.gc.ca:80/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr01389.html |archive-date=2009-10-12 }}

References

External links

  • [http://www.cipo.ic.gc.ca CIPO official website]

=Trademarks=

  • [http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/T-13/index.html Trademarks Act] ([https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2018-227/index.html Trademarks Regulations])
  • [http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/O-9.2/ Olympic and Paralympic Marks Act] ([http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2007-294/page-1.html Olympic and Paralympic Marks Regulations])
  • [http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr01614.html Trademarks Examination Manual]
  • [https://www.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/tmj/eng/home.html Trademarks Journal]
  • [http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/home?lang=eng Canadian Trademarks Database]

=Patents=

  • [https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/P-4/ Patent Act] ([https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2019-251/index.html Patent Rules])
  • [http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/h_wr00720.html Manual of Patent Office Practice]
  • [https://www.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpor/eng/home.html Canadian Patent Office Record]
  • [https://www.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/search/basic.html Canadian Patents Database]

=Copyright=

  • [http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-42/index.html Copyright Act] ([http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-97-457/index.html Copyright Regulations])
  • [http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/cpyrghts/dsplySrch.do?lang=eng Canadian Copyrights Database]

=Industrial designs=

  • [http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-9/index.html Industrial Design Act] ([http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2018-120/index.html Industrial Design Regulations])
  • [http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cipointernet-internetopic.nsf/eng/wr00256.html Industrial Design Office Practice Manual]
  • [http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/id/bscSrch.do?lang=eng Canadian Industrial Designs Database]

=Integrated circuit topographies=

  • [http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-14.6/index.html Integrated Circuit Topography Act] ([http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-93-212/index.html Integrated Circuit Topography Regulations])

{{Canadian intellectual property law}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Canadian patent law

Category:Canadian trademark law

Category:Canadian copyright law

Category:Canadian intellectual property law

Category:Government agencies established in 1991

Category:Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Category:Patent offices

Category:Copyright agencies

Category:International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authorities

Category:1991 establishments in Canada

Intellectual_Property_Office, Canadian