Statistics
Population: 32.9 million
Size of economy: 8th largest in the world, highly integrated with US economy
Character of economy (by GDP): 31% Manufacturing, 3% Agriculture, 66% Services
Legal system: Common Law for IP Statutes and all provinces except Québec (Civil Law)
International Treaties: Paris Convention, PCT, WTO-TRIPS and PLT
INTERNATIONAL PATENT ATTORNEYS

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is a Canadian federal government agency under the direction of the Minister of Industry that houses the Patent Office, the Trade-Marks Office, the Industrial Designs Office and the Copyright Branch. The Commissioner of Patents is likewise the head of the other CIPO Offices. CIPO is located in Gatineau, Québec, some two hours from Montréal.

Canadian Patent Law historically was modeled on US Law, however, in 1989 it was amended to be a first-to-file system with absolute novelty and a one-year grace period. Canada has never had a "continuation-in-part" provision in its patent law, although partial internal priority within the first twelve months may be claimed. The 20-year term and the grace period is based on the actual filing date of the application, and not the priority date claimed, whether domestic or foreign. The courts in Canada have adopted the British approach to a "purposive construction" regarding claim interpretation, with the effect of essentially replacing the doctrine of equivalents. The Canadian Patent Office has traditionally considered that claims are directed to a single invention when complying with US unity of invention criteria, and so a patent may present different independent claims of a same statutory class. However, the Patent Office today will generally accept a set of claims complying with EPO unity of invention criteria without requiring division.

In some market sectors, the Canadian patent is perceived as being optional when a corresponding US patent is obtained. This perception is based on the degree of integration of the two markets and the greater size of the US market. However, the cost of adding a corresponding Canadian patent to one's patent protection is excellent value. The integration of the two markets is often so great that any decoupling is disruptive of the normal distribution or supply of product. Thus, even if a patentee were to lose in patent litigation in the US, and yet win in Canada, the effect would likely lead to a favorable settlement before resolution of any appeal in the US.

Summary
Novelty and Grace Period: Invention must not be disclosed in any form anywhere in the world before priority date, with an exception for information disclosed directly or indirectly from the Applicant not more than one year before filing date in Canada or PCT International Filing Date. No declaration of non-prejudicial disclosure is required for grace period effect. Content of unpublished Canadian patent applications having earlier filing date are prior art for novelty, but not obviousness.
Publication: Automatic at 18 months.
Term: 20 years from filing date.
Maintenance fees: Due annually from 2nd anniversary of filing date to 19th.
Examination: Substantive examination. Request to be filed by 5th anniversary. First Office Action issued about 2 years from request for examination.
Claims: PCT-style multiple dependencies accepted by Rule. EPO-style dependencies often accepted. No claim fees or limits.
Languages accepted at filing: English or French only.
Power of Attorney: not required for agent presenting application or national phase.
Certified copies of priority documents: not required or accepted at filing
Assignment: Declaration of Entitlement replaces formal assignment for initial transfer of rights from inventors to first Applicant. Inventor signature not required.
PCT national phase entry due date: 30 months. Late entry permitted by 42 months with payment of late fee (no petition or justification required). Caution: Late entry is the only safeguard mechanism to correct a defect making a national phase entry incomplete, and it is not recommended for regular use.


 



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