Canadian Government Ignites National Intellectual Property Strategy

In 2018, the Government of Canada launched a national Intellectual Property (IP) strategy intended to help Canadian businesses and innovators learn about and gain access to IP protection. The national IP strategy created various platforms that enable IP-focused conversations for many Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often overlook IP protection. This is a significant step in prioritizing the growth and protection of Canadian IP.

The national IP strategy sets out to address: (1) awareness, education, and advice, (2) strategic tools for growth, and (3) legislation changes to clarify practices associated with IP rights.

As part of the IP awareness campaign, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) generated significant online resources that include practical tools and materials to support innovators. The national IP strategy also granted funding for IP-focused legal clinics within Canadian law schools to offer access to basic