Parliamentary Committee Issues IP-Based Recommendations To Promote Innovation

On March 18, 2013, the Canadian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (referred to as “INDU”) published a report titled “Intellectual Property Regime in Canada” (the “Report”). INDU, which is composed of twelve members of Parliament, was mandated in the spring of 2012 to study the intellectual property (“IP”) regime in Canada and how this regime contributes to advancing innovation.

After hearing from approximately fifty witnesses, INDU issued in the Report several recommendations to the Government of Canada relating to Canada’s IP regime. Many of these recommendations seek to encourage the government to undertake further study of aspects of Canada’s IP regime and promote awareness of this regime. INDU also issued specific recommendations, some of which are summarized below (as categorized in the Report).