Budget
The latest budget was introduced today in parliament. Relating to intellectual property, the budget plan states:
In recognition of the importance of a well-functioning intellectual property regime, Budget 2017 announces the Government will develop a new intellectual property strategy over the coming year. The strategy will help ensure that Canada’s intellectual property regime is modern and robust and supports Canadian innovations in the 21st century.
USSC
The United States Supreme Court has issued a couple of intellectual property decisions this week:
- Star Athletica, L. L. C. v. Varsity Brands, Inc. where a majority found a feature incorporated into the design of a useful article is eligible for copyright protection only if the feature (1) can be perceived as a two- or three-dimensional work of art separate from the useful article, and (2) would qualify as a protectable pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work—either on its own or fixed in some other tangible medium of expression—if it were imagined separately from the useful article into which it is incorporated. The particular facts related to cheerleading uniforms.
- SCA Hygiene Products Aktiebolag v. First Quality Baby Products, LLC where a majority found that laches cannot be invoked as a defense against a claim for patent infringement damages brought within the 6-year limitations period.
NAFTA
As mentioned on Friday, the NAFTA arbitration tribunal in the Eli Lilly ‘promise doctrine’ proceeding has issued a ruling. The public decision is now available confirming that the tribunal decided in favour of Canada on the merits. The decision addresses issues of jurisdiction, liability for judicial measures and Canada’s utility requirements for patents. Continue reading NAFTA
NAFTA
The NAFTA arbitration tribunal in the Eli Lilly ‘promise doctrine’ proceeding has issued a ruling. Reports are that the tribunal has decided in favour of Canada on the merits. Continue reading NAFTA
2016 in Official Marks
Canada has a scheme under the Trade-marks Act, where government authorities can list official marks. In 2016, over 700 prohibited marks were listed in Canada. The top ten filers were Continue reading 2016 in Official Marks
Canadian Trademark Firms in 2016
About 55,390 trademark applications were filed in Canada in 2016. Of these, about 24% were filed in-house or without an agent (up slightly from previous years). Check out my list of the 50 firms/agents that filed the most applications in 2016. Continue reading Canadian Trademark Firms in 2016
Fintech
Combining technology with financial services in the age of mobile, cloud and blockchain gives rise to many potential disruptors and established players trying to increase, protect, license and monetize their intellectual property. I explore some of these ideas in my recent article in Slaw on Protecting FinTech Innovation.
Continue reading Fintech
2016
This email wraps up 2016. Thanks for being a subscriber! Over 350,000 IPPractice emails were sent over the year to over 1500 subscribers, listing 450 new intellectual property proceedings and reporting 180 decisions. I’m looking forward to more developments in 2017. Happy New Year!
Some more stats from the past year are on the website.
Extraterritorial Injunctions Re-play
If you missed watching the oral arguments at the Supreme Court on Tuesday in Google Inc. v. Equustek Solutions Inc., the SCC has posted the video for re-play (see earlier post).