Designated Establishments

CIPO has announced that it is discontinuing the acceptance of correspondence at designated establishments at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) regional mailrooms as of August 16th. These are currently available in Ottawa, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver. CIPO recommends electronic, in person or Canada Post as alternatives.

The email announcement stated:

Please note that as of August 16, 2021, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) regional mailrooms will no longer accept correspondence on behalf of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). The designated establishments include the mailrooms in Ottawa, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

Going forward, all correspondence should be submitted electronically, where possible, or delivered in person or via registered mail to the CIPO headquarters located at 50 Victoria Street, Gatineau, Quebec. For more information, see CIPO’s correspondence procedures.

Nothing has been posted about the change in the designated establishments in the most recent Canadian Patent Office Record (CPOR), formerly (pre-October 2019) the official publication for correspondence procedures, although there is still a 2005-era practice notice about firm patent and trademark agents that gets published weekly.