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Intellectual Property
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is responsible for the administration and processing of the greater part of intellectual property in Canada. CIPO's areas of activities include patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies. CIPO has created an innovative interactive software package called INTELLECTUS, which is designed to provide you with valuable information about intellectual property that can be downloaded for free.
For inventions (new or improved technology), protection in Canada extends up to 20 years from the date the application is first filed. You can receive a patent for a product or a process that is new, useful, and inventive. A patent is granted to the inventor who first files an application.
Patents Search Engines
Link to a free patent search engine : free patents online The site provides free searching of patent data, and has many features that the USPTO, EPO, and other patents offices do not have.
Canadian Patents Database
The Canadian Patent Database contains issued Canadian patents and applications for patents that has been made available to the public from October 1, 1989, to the present.
Patent Agents
A registered patent agent is the only professional permitted under the Patent Act to represent inventors in obtaining patent protection. Patent agents conduct searches of prior patents and other publications to determine whether an invention is patentable. If the invention appears to be new, the patent agent works with the inventor to prepare a description and drawings showing how the invention is made and operates, and drafts claims that define, in words, the exclusive rights sought by the inventor for the invention.
In selecting a patent agent, you should look for an agent who specialises in your technical field. For instance, if your invention is in the biotechnology field, then a patent agent with a background in biotechnology should prepare your patent applications.
For an up-to-date listing of Local Patent Agents serving the region, please visit OSTEC's Membership Directory.
Another option is to visit yellowpages.ca . Simply click on the business category of "Patent Agents Registered". Then simply choose your province (e.g "British Columbia") and city (e.g. "Vernon") and a list of agents and their contact information will be populated.
An extensive contact list for Intellectual Property Law Firms with offices in BC is available through PATSCAN.
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