Share This :Is the Madrid System Right For You? If you are looking to register your trademark in multiple countries, then the Madrid Protocol system may be ideal for you. Centrally administered by the World Intellectual Property Office (“WIPO”), the Madrid...
Share This :For the first time in Canadian history, a court has clarified the meaning of the phrase “place of origin” as referenced in section 12(1)(b) of the Trademarks Act (the “Act”). Under this section, a trademark that clearly describes (or...
Share This :Your name is one of the most valuable assets your business owns. Exactly how valuable depends on the name itself. Great names are worth a lot more than mediocre or bad ones. Before I explain, I want to clarify what makes a name truly great. In very...
Share This :Trademarks in the form of acronyms i.e., consisting simply of letters of the alphabet are generally considered to possess a low level of inherent distinctiveness. As is firmly rooted in Canadian law, trademarks on the lower end of the distinctiveness...
Share This :Here we go, again. The Canadian Federal Court has yet again sent a strong message to cannabis retailers who (foolishly) try to piggyback on the fame and reputation of established Canadian brands. Over the years, we have seen a dramatic increase in...
Share This :Social media usage has increased dramatically amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses, from mom & pop stores to big-box retailers have increased social media usage as a means to connect with consumers and enhance sales. Generally speaking,...