Government collaboration announced to promote IP protection

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) have announced their continued collaboration to promote the awareness and use of intellectual property (IP) among Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academia and innovators. 

CIPO and the TCS signed a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a comprehensive set of goals. These objectives include developing digital and virtual educational content and tools to assist Canadian SMEs in identifying, protecting, and managing IP effectively when conducting business internationally. The collaboration also aims to strengthen key partnerships through the IP Village, fostering strategic connections with industry and academia to better inform and support exporting SMEs and underrepresented groups facing IP-related challenges. Additionally, the renewed MOU focuses on implementing a data-driven and evidence-based approach to enhance the impact of IP program delivery.

This initiative builds upon the foundation in 2019 when CIPO and TCS first established their MOU, marking the beginning of a long-standing collaboration in promoting IP protection among Canadian SMEs. The renewed MOU is set to be effective for the next five years. The CIPO and TCS both expressed their commitment to supporting the protection of Canadian IP in foreign markets.

Konstantinos Georgaras, CIPO's Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trademarks, and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The role of IP is critical in the international expansion of any business. In this regard, CIPO is excited to continue working with the TCS to help Canadian SMEs protect their IP abroad."

"Thanks to our partnership with CIPO, the Trade Commissioner Service is better equipped with the necessary tools and resources to ensure Canadian exporters can succeed in international markets while protecting their IP. We look forward to continuing our collaboration," said Sara Wilshaw, Canada's Chief Trade Commissioner and Assistant Deputy Minister of international Business Development, Investment, and Innovation at Global Affairs Canada, highlighting the significance of the partnership in equipping the Trade Commissioner Service with essential tools and resources.

As part of their joint efforts, CIPO and TCS are active partners in the IP Village, collaborating with six key Canadian organizations to empower businesses to understand and utilize IP more effectively. CIPO's publication of 10 Doing Business Abroad guides further supplements these efforts, providing information, tips, and links to assist Canadians in protecting their IP rights in various foreign markets.