Upcoming SCC Decision May Potentially Reshape the Prohibition of Patenting Methods of Medical Treatment in Canada
  • October 8, 2025

In Canada, the prohibition against patenting methods of medical treatment is not explicitly set out in the Patent Act, but is considered a judicial interpretation. Consequently, there have been inconsistencies in Canadian law on what constitutes a prohibited method of medical treatment. On October 9, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) will hear arguments […]

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Patent Prosecution Highway Program: Benefits and Procedures for Fast-Tracking Patent Applications in Canada
  • July 22, 2025

Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) in Canada allows applicants to significantly accelerate examination of patent applications at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). PPH may be available if a corresponding PCT or foreign patent application has been deemed allowable by one of CIPO’s PPH partners, either through a global PPH (GPPH) pilot program or through bilateral […]

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No Due Care Taken in Communication Failure without Alternative Communication Mechanisms
  • June 23, 2025

After due care was introduced in the Patent Act in 2019, the due care standard has shown to be quite strict and can be difficult to satisfy.  Typically, when a failure to pay a maintenance fee and the late fee within the late fee period occurs, the due care standard must be met to reverse […]

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Staying Alive – Missed Patent Maintenance Fees Can Lead to the Loss of Rights in Canada Without Notice
  • May 30, 2025

Canadian patents and patent applications may be jeopardized if annual maintenance fees are not paid on time. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is under no obligation to alert anyone that a maintenance fee payment was missed or improperly processed before a potential loss of patent rights. If a maintenance fee payment is missed, then […]

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CIPO Service Improvements and Updates on Disruptions and Prosecution Delays with Launch of MyCIPO Patents

As part of their updated service strategy, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has been working to enhance their services, with a focus on modernizing online services, improving communication with examiners, and improving overall prosecution timelines. While CIPO has made some strides towards these improvements, there have also been some disruptions, particularly with the launch […]

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Notice – Ongoing Disruptions at the CIPO Resulting in Prosecution Delays and Inaccurate Records
  • November 18, 2024

In July 2024, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) launched a new online portal for patent services known as MyCIPO Patents. This new system is supposed to offer improved services to Applicants including the immediate issuance of an application number upon filing, and real-time submission confirmations and payment receipts. Updates to the Canadian Patent Database […]

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CIPO to Increase Fees Substantially in 2024
  • September 15, 2023

On January 1, 2024 fees at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) will increase by approximately 25% on average, per fee type. It is notable that this will be the first substantial fee increase that CIPO has implemented since 2004. This one-time substantive fee adjustment is motivated by CIPO’s current structural deficit, which it attributes […]

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Upcoming Changes to Patent Prosecution in Canada
  • August 10, 2022

Examination of Canadian patent applications will change significantly when a host of amendments to Canada’s Patent Rules come into force this year. The changes effective on October 3, 2022 are being introduced to streamline patent examination in preparation for the implementation of patent term adjustment (PTA) obligations under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (“CUSMA”). Most significantly, […]

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Notice of Canadian Patent Rules Change | October 3, 2022
  • July 25, 2022

Consider requesting examination of your Canadian patent applications now! ….. …..to avoid significant fees coming to Canada’s Patent Examination Regime On October 3, 2022 there will be significant changes to Canada’s Patent Rules, to introduce excess claim fees and a continued examination regime, with significant new government fees. The new Rules and their requirements will […]

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Notice Regarding Patent Rule Changes
  • December 10, 2021

Expect Additional Canadian Patent Rule Changes in 2022 The Canadian Patent Rules are undergoing further amendments to prepare for the patent term adjustment (PTA) obligations under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (“CUSMA”). The amended Rules will take effect in respect of any application where examination is requested on or after the 30th day from the day […]

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