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ARTICLE · 01 SEPTEMBER 2026

Fraudulent And Misleading IP Notices: What Rights Holders Should Know

McMillan LLP
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Fraudulent communications targeting intellectual property rights holders are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often impersonating legitimate professionals or government offices. Understanding how these schemes operate and recognizing warning signs can help protect your valuable IP assets from exploitation.

CanadaIntellectual Property
Aki Kamoshida
Aki Kamoshida
Pablo Tseng
Pablo Tseng
Yue Fei
Yue Fei
Whitney Igidi
Whitney Igidi
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There is no shortage of fraudulent or misleading communications being sent to rights holders of trademarks, patents, and other intellectual property (“IP”). This is a worldwide trend, and various IP offices and professional organizations have issued warnings.1 These communications are becoming alarmingly sophisticated and may appear to be typical notices sent by a government authority or the recipient’s existing lawyer or agent.

These schemes have taken various forms. In some cases, individuals have impersonated licensed trademark/patent agents or government IP offices, contacting banks and businesses regarding recently completed transactions or existing IP applications/registrations. In other cases, rights holders may receive unsolicited communications offering IP-related services or suggesting that particular action is required to maintain existing IP assets.

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The foregoing provides only an overview and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, specific legal advice should be obtained.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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