We routinely advise our clients on a range of intellectual property subjects, most commonly:



• Copyright, which is the intellectual property ownership of original literary, dramatic and other artistic works. It usually lasts for the duration of the author’s life, plus 50 years.
• Industrial design registration, which is the registration of any particular shape, pattern or ornamentation applied to an article which is made in an industrial process. Five-year registrations are available for industrial designs, and may be renewed once.
• Patents, which are granted by the Canadian government and give the patentee sole rights to make, use and sell an invention for a period of 17 years.
• The development of a trade mark, namely a word, symbol or design, or combination of words, symbols and designs, which is used to differentiate the products or services offered by one business or organization from the products or services offered by others. A trade mark registration is effective for 15 years. Our intellectual property rights lawyers are able to advise clients on developing trade marks and processing trade mark applications. We also act on behalf of clients in opposition proceedings.