Articles 2021

The United States Patent and Trademark Office published its report entitled Public Views on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Policy addressing the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technology across the intellectual property landscape. This two-part article focuses on the views expressed in the Report with respect to the impact of AI on trademark law and practice.

In today’s modern age robots are key players in both our professional and daily lives. We witness robots repairing oil pipes deep in the ocean, performing surgical procedures in hospitals, and undertaking household tasks such as vacuuming. Some cities have even restructured their public transportation and implemented driverless subway systems, while cars perform autonomous functions such as intelligent parking assistance.

A message from the Chair of the OBA's Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law Section for the 2020-2021 term.

Representatives from the music, publishing, and sports industries intervene in TekSavvy's appeal from the decision of the Federal Court of Canada, which ordered certain ISPs in Canada to block access to pirate subscription streaming sites. This was the first decision in which Canadian courts ordered sites to be blocked for copyright infringement.

In August, President Donald Trump issued two executive orders targeting ByteDance Ltd, the parent company of TikTok Inc. This article discusses the events following the executive orders.

The global impact of COVID is spurring efforts to find solutions and innovative Canadian technology companies need to take stock of their intellectual property (IP), be aware of common pitfalls and take steps to proactively adopt some key best practices to survive and thrive.

Though the move to video conferencing may be essential to practicing law in the time of COVID-19, careful consideration should be paid to ensuring that ethical, professional, privacy and cybersecurity obligations have been met to protect clients.

Covid-19 can have permanent positive impacts on the Canadian justice system, increasing the use of technology and improving access to justice.

Trademark practitioners comment on CIPO’s Practice Notice on the Extensions of time in Examination.