Agents

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has announced consultations on the regulatory framework for patent and trademark agents.

This consultation focuses on a proposed values and ethics framework and a regulator.I was involved in the 2013/2014 “Modernizing the IP Community” consultation and report which is the basis of this consultation.

The draft code of conduct is based on the IPIC Draft Code of Conduct with portions from the Federal of Law Societies of Canada Model Code of Professional Conduct.

The regulator models proposed are the following. They also include a proposed disciplinary process.

  1. an administrative agency model;
  2. a mixed-model; and
  3. a self-regulatory model.

CIPO and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is seeking comments on the code of conduct by June 13, 2016. Comments on the other portions of consultation are requested by July 29, 2016.