ARTICLE · 18 JUNE 2012

How Technology Companies Can Protect Intellectual Property (IP)

DLA Piper

Explore more from DLA Piper

To remain afloat in an intensely competitive industry, technology companies must take steps to protect their intellectual property assets.

CanadaIntellectual Property

Suzanne Kennedy

Author LinkedIn connections

This article originally appeared under the title "How Tech Firms Must Govern Brain Power" in the June 1, 2012, issue of The Lawyers Weekly, published by LexisNexis Canada Inc.

To remain afloat in an intensely competitive industry, technology companies must take steps to protect their intellectual property assets. In this Lawyers Weekly article, Chris Bennett and Suzanne Kennedy address the need for employers to establish unambiguous ownership of copyrightable materials and take due care in detailing confidentiality provisions and non-competition agreements in employment contracts. Useful legal tools for intellectual property protection such as restrictive covenants and IP ownership clauses are also discussed.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

What’s The Misuse? Defence Of Copyright Misuse Survives Further Motion To Strike In Millennium Funding v. Bell Canada

CanadaIntellectual Property

Intellectual Property In Canada: Protecting And Enforcing Your IP Assets

CanadaIntellectual Property

Patents In Canada: A Practical Guide For Foreign Businesses

CanadaIntellectual Property

Règlement Sur Les Médicaments Brevetés (Avis De Conformité) : Neuvième Anniversaire Des Modifications Majeures

CanadaIntellectual Property

Propriété intellectuelle : Faire des affaires au Canada 2026

CanadaIntellectual Property

McCarthy Tétrault

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Intellectual Property
- Trade Secrets

Related Comparative Guides

Comparative Guide

Trademark Disputes

Comparative Guide

Intellectual Property

Comparative Guide

Patent Litigation

Comparative Guide

Franchise & Licensing

See more popular content from

Intellectual Property

Québec's Bill 96 And Trademarks: Still In Force, And Being Enforced!

The regulations affecting trademarks weren't fully in effect until 2025. More than a year later, the number of complaints against businesses has never been higher.

CanadaIntellectual Property

CIPO Fast Tracks Critical Minerals Patents

Canada's Intellectual Property Office has introduced a new expedited examination program for patent applications in critical technology sectors. The Key Technology Expedited Program waives the advanced examination fee and promises first office action within seven months for qualifying applications related to critical minerals supply chain innovations.

CanadaIntellectual Property

Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala

Licensing vs. Franchising: Understanding The Difference In Ontario

In Ontario, business owners typically consider franchising versus licensing as they plan to grow their company. Both methods promote growth through the resources of a third party, but they work in dramatically different ways.

CanadaIntellectual Property

Pacific Legal PC

CIPO Issues Practice Notice On Redacting Postal Addresses And Removing Unrelated Documents From TDRS

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has issued new guidance on when trademark applicants can redact postal addresses or remove documents from public records. Understanding these strict requirements and exceptional circumstances is crucial for protecting privacy while maintaining compliance with Canada's trademark registration transparency obligations.

CanadaIntellectual Property

Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala

CanLII And Caseway Reportedly Settle AI Copyright Dispute

CanLII, Canada's free legal database, and Caseway, an AI legal research platform, have reportedly reached a settlement in their copyright dispute over the use of legal case data for artificial intelligence training purposes. The resolution addresses concerns about unauthorized use of publicly available legal materials and the boundaries of AI development in the legal technology sector.

CanadaIntellectual Property

Patenting Innovation In Data Centres: Protecting Configurations, Cooling Technologies, And The Green Advantage

The rapid expansion of data centre infrastructure has made these facilities a focal point for technological innovation and intellectual property investment. From server configurations to advanced cooling systems, the technologies deployed inside data centres represent significant R&D expenditure and competitive advantages. Patent protection offers operators and developers opportunities to safeguard innovations...

GlobalIntellectual Property

Protecting Trade Secrets Using Non-Disclosure Agreements

Recent US case law has raised the possibility that the common practice of including an expiry date in a non-disclosure agreement or "NDA" (also known as a confidentiality agreement)...

GlobalIntellectual Property

Fast-Tracking Your Patent Application In Canada: CIPO Expands The Key Technology Expedited Program

For Canadian innovators, the patenting process can seem unreasonably slow. In an effort to address this, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) created various procedures to expedite the examination process in Canada. Knowing which fast track options exist, when they make sense, and how to use them effectively can provide a significant commercial advantage.

CanadaIntellectual Property

Trademarks Opposition Board Moves To Digital-Only Submission Of Confidential Information

Canada's Trademarks Opposition Board has introduced new requirements for handling confidential evidence in trademark proceedings, mandating the use of Canada Post's secure digital platform.

CanadaIntellectual Property

Patently Absurd, Episode 20: IP, The IPO, And Canada, Eh? (Podcast)

The patent landscape is evolving as entrepreneurs and investors seek new approaches to protecting IP rights consistently across jurisdictions. Organizations like the Intellectual Property Owners Association provide forums to voice concerns, analyze issues, and advance policies aimed at accelerating innovation across borders.

GlobalIntellectual Property