Intellectual Property, Smart & Biggar updates
Canada
Contributed by Smart & BiggarTrademarks Office issues new limits on time extensions to respond to office actions
- Canada
- 10 February 2020
Following a recent practice notice, the Trademarks Office will not grant time extensions for office actions issued on or after 17 January 2020 unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated. The Trademarks Office has also expanded the list of potential exceptional circumstances.
Life sciences intellectual property: 2019 highlights
- Canada
- 03 February 2020
There have been a number of key developments in Canadian life sciences IP and regulatory law over the past 12 months, including significant amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations, a number of biosimilars developments relating to approvals, pending submissions and naming and the second anniversaries of the certificate of supplementary protection regime and the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations.
USMCA amendments: implications for Canadian IP law
- Canada
- 27 January 2020
The United States, Mexico and Canada recently signed the Protocol of Amendment to the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States and Canada (USMCA). If ratified, the amended USMCA will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement and require a number of changes to Canada's IP laws. Many requirements of the original USMCA have already been met by recent changes in Canadian IP legislation, but more amendments will be required to implement the USMCA.
Federal Court dismisses patent infringement action for delay
- Canada
- 20 January 2020
The Federal Court recently dismissed an action for delay following a status review under Section 382.1 of the Federal Courts Rules where the proceeding remained at the documentary discovery stage with outstanding motions pending more than six years after the action had been commenced. The plaintiff's had alleged infringement of Canadian Patent 2,595,723 in respect of water treatment processes used in Cenovus's steam-assisted gravity drainage oil production facilities.
Effectively using experts in IP litigation: theory
- Canada
- 23 December 2019
In IP litigation, expert testimony is common and important. Experts may provide the court with a scientific primer in highly complex cases. Given this, it is important for IP litigators to appreciate the role of experts, understand the test for admissibility and be familiar with all applicable procedural rules. This article focuses on the more theoretical aspects of expert testimony.
