Patent Strategy

February 7, 2022
Photograph of the Peace Tower at the Canadian parliament buildings taken from the ground so that the clock peeks out from behind another building.

Considerations for Applicants Before the Canadian Patent Rules Change

Patent applicants may wish to request examination for their Canadian patent applications soon to take advantage of the fees under the current Patent Rules.
October 27, 2021
Aerial view of a skyscraper in downtown Hangzhou, Zhejiang’s largest city.

Audience of Ten Thousand Tunes into Andrew Currier’s IP Lecture

Andrew was invited to speak about Corporate IP Strategy and Practical Business as part of the Zhejiang High-Level IP Training Program.
October 26, 2021
Photo of two women working on tablets in front of a large window.

IP Basics: Patent Budgeting for Early Stage Startups

When budgeting for a patent, all tech startups face this conundrum: “I need investors to pay for a patent, but I need a patent to attract investors.”
August 30, 2021
Photograph of a woman conducting business at her laptop.

Top Questions We Get Asked About Provisional Patent Applications

Provisional patent applications are generally well known in the start-up community as an affordable way to protect patent rights, but it can be hard to locate practical information. Here are the questions that our clients most frequently ask us about provisional patent applications.
July 21, 2021
Photo of a project planning board covered in yellow sticky notes.

A Synergistic Combination: Patents and SR&ED

The trick is to efficiently resource patent and SR&ED initiatives while keeping product development on track. Here are a few tips that can help you do that.
April 28, 2020
A laptop showing business statistics and financial forecasts in graph format.

COVID-19: Cost Management Strategies for Patent Applicants

Cost management strategies that won't devalue your patent portfolio. Plus: don't miss the April 29th deadline for the Innovation Assistance Program (IAP)!
December 9, 2019
The word blockchain surrounded by symbols of bitcoin, finances, mobile devices, money, computer networks.

Patenting Blockchain Technologies

Is patenting blockchain possible? Do patents detract from the decentralization of blockchain? This article explains the ins and outs of blockchain patents.
November 25, 2019
Pharmacist in a white lab coat, holding bottles of pharmaceuticals.

Patent Strategy & Potential Changes to Patented Medicine Regulations & Drug Pricing Legislation

The rising cost of patented medicines is an important topic in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the White House is promising to...
October 4, 2019
Stethoscope and a smartphone. Healthcare

Disruptions to the Healthcare Industry: 5 Takeaways From the 2019 Waterloo Innovation Summit

At the 2019 Waterloo Innovation Summit, global thought leaders discussed oncoming disruptions to healthcare and challenges faced by healthtech start-ups.
August 23, 2019
A busnisess's empty board room with desk chairs and a table.

What Can Businesses Expect From the US Patent Reforms?

A draft bill released May 22nd proposes significant reforms to section 101 of the US Patent Act. Businesses should be aware of the commercial impact.
July 22, 2019
Photo of a contract or license being signed.

Despite Contract, License Holder Cannot Sue for Patent Infringement: CAFC

CAFC warns that the distinction between assignment and license cannot be determined by “formalities or magic words.”
July 18, 2019
Mail, Postal service

US Postal Service Prohibited from Challenging Mail Sorting Patent

SCOTUS blocked US Postal Service from using proceedings under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (“AIA”) to avoid litigation and invalidate a US Patent.
July 11, 2019
SCOTUS, the supreme court of the United States

US Supreme Court Asked to Resolve “Fundamental State of Disorder” in the Patent System

A cybersecurity start-up is asking the US Supreme Court to take a bold stance on the judicial treatment of patents and fix the US patent system.
July 8, 2019
Computer server, cables, fiber optic cables, electronics, hardware

Federal Circuit Reinstates Software Patents in Favour of Alleged Patent Troll

The CAFC reminds lower courts that software patents are valid where they claim a particular improvement in how the outcome is achieved.
July 2, 2019
Vials containing pharmaceuticals (drugs)

Oxymorphone Patent Is Not Obvious, Federal Circuit Confirms

CAFC confirms that an invention is only obvious and ineligible for a patent where a skilled person would have had a “reasonable expectation of success.”
June 11, 2019
Legal textbooks on a shelf

CAFC Refuses to Hear Appeal from Patent Decision

AVX Corporation v Presidio Components (Fed. Cir., 2018-1106) A case recently dismissed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“CAFC”) confirms that […]
June 4, 2019
Pharmaceutical researcher in a laboratory

When Can New Uses for Known Drugs Be Patented?

Fed. Cir., 2018-1434 - CAFC clarifies the test for obviousness where the invention claims a use of a known drug.
May 9, 2019
Vintage alarm clock with bells

New Patent Rules will Make Reinstatements and Reversing a Patent Expiry More Onerous

Requests for patent application reinstatements and reversing a patent expiry are about to get more onerous with the new Patent Rules.
April 17, 2019
PCT

PCT Filing Deadlines in Canada Soon to be Much Shorter

Shorter Deadlines for PCT Filing in Canada Coming Soon
April 16, 2019
Piles of dollar symbols ($)

Canada Federal Court of Appeal Affirms Punitive Damages Award

2019 FCA 29 - Canada's FCA refuses to intervene in trial judge's decision with respect to punitive damages.