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ARTICLE · 09 JUNE 2026

Trademark Scams: How To Spot And Avoid Them And Protect Your Brand

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
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Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

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Trademark scams targeting Canadian business owners are on the rise, with fraudsters impersonating lawyers and government officials to pressure victims into paying unnecessary fees or sharing sensitive information.

CanadaIntellectual Property
Matthew Literovich
Matthew Literovich
Kathleen Lemieux
Kathleen Lemieux
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Trademark scams are on the rise in Canada. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents (CPATA) have warned business owners and trademark owners to be vigilant about phishing attempts by email, phone call or text message from people posing as lawyers. agents or service providers specializing in intellectual property, or even CIPO employees.

These messages often use information from public registries and pressure recipients to act quickly. A wave of this type of scam was reported in 2024 by various publications. As one of our clients has been targeted, we thought it prudent to provide an update on the situation and best practices.

Our observations in the heat of the moment

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