This document is intended to provide intellectual property information, including trade-mark, copyright and patent information, to businesses in Ontario.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Patents
3. Trade-Marks
4. Copyrights
5. Other Intellectual Property Information

1. Introduction

A person or business can protect an image or identity, a newly created product, an innovative design, or a creative work. You can receive legal recognition and protection for these endeavours, which are known as "intellectual property". Many intellectual property rights are administered through a federal agency called the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Canadian Intellectual Property Office

Legal Issues

For regulatory or legal questions, it may be useful to contact an lawyer that deals with intellectual property through the Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service.

For further information:call 1-800-668-7380
visit the website: Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service

Intellectual Property - IP Toolkit

The toolkit is based on the top questions that entrepreneurs ask about Intellectual Property (IP) including patents, trade-marks, copyrights and industrial designs.

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Intellectual Property - IP Toolkit
see the document Intellectual Property - IP Toolkit

2. Patents

A patent gives its owner exclusive rights over a claimed invention. The owner can prevent others from making, using or selling the patented invention in exchange for full disclosure of the claimed invention.

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Patents
see the document Patents

The Canadian Patents Database

The Canadian Patents Database lets you access patent bibliographic data, descriptions and drawings from 1869 to the present time. You can search, retrieve and study more than 1.5 million patent documents.

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Canadian Patents Database
see the document Canadian Patents Database

3. Trade-Marks

Businesses of all sizes and others involved in the marketplace with wares or services should consider registering their trade-mark(s).

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Trade-marks
see the document Trade-marks

Canadian Trade-marks Database

This searchable database is the official register of trade-marks in Canada and contains information about all pending, registered and inactive trade-marks.

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Canadian Trade-marks Database
see the document Canadian Trade-marks Database

4. Copyrights

Information that will help you understand your rights and those of other authors and artists. Creative effort should be protected and respected. Find out how to file a new application and save money when you file online.

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Copyrights - Getting Started
see the document Copyrights

5. Other Intellectual Property Information

Industrial Designs

By creating well-designed products, an entrepreneur can reach out and appeal to a specific target group or market, using the design as an effective marketing tool. Get the edge over the competition and consider registering your designs today.

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Industrial Designs
see the document Industrial Designs

Canadian Industrial Designs Database

The Canadian Industrial Designs Database lets you access industrial designs bibliographic, data, descriptions and drawing images as well as classifications.

For further information:call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Canadian Industrial Designs Database
see the document Canadian Industrial Designs Database

Integrated Circuit Topographies

An integrated circuit is a product that performs an electronic function in which the elements and interconnections are integrally formed on or in a piece of material (such as a computer chip). An integrated circuit topography is a representation of the way in which the elements and interconnections are spatially related to one another.

For further information:
call 1-866-997-1936
visit the website: Integrated Circuit Topographies
see the document Integrated Circuit Topographies

Plant Breeders' Rights

The owner of a new plant variety who receives a 'Grant of Rights' has exclusive rights over the use of the variety, and is able to protect their new variety from exploitation by others.

Note: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is responsible for plant breeders' rights, which apply to certain new plant varieties.

For further information:call 1-800-442-2342
visit the website: Plant Breeders' Rights

Related Reading

• Technology and Innovation Info-Guide

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DISCLAIMERS

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.