The First Step To Protecting Your Brand In Canada

Establishing and protecting your brand and goodwill is crucial to your success as you expand into Canada. One of the most important first steps is to register your trademarks with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).

I) Benefits of a Registration

Unregistered trademarks offer limited protection. Canadian law protects your rights in unregistered trademarks at common law, but only in a limited way. You do not own trademark rights in your business or corporate name merely because you have incorporated in Canada or have registered with a province or territory. Your U.S. trademark registrations do not generally apply in Canada, or provide a legal right to enforce your trademarks against unauthorized use in Canada.