Canada is modernizing its patent regime to implement the Patent Law Treaty, and the new Patent Rules will come into force on October 30, 2019

News release

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office is pleased to announce that the new Patent Rules were published today in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

The amendments to the Patent Act and the new Patent Rules will come into force on October 30, 2019. This updated legislative regime will permit Canada to implement the Patent Law Treaty.

The Patent Law Treaty harmonizes and streamlines patent administrative procedures among national intellectual property (IP) offices and delivers key benefits for businesses:

  • More efficient process to secure a filing date
  • Harmonized administrative procedures and formalities
  • Modernized patent legislative framework

We are especially proud today to have acceded to the last of five international IP treaties. In addition to the Patent Law Treaty, Canada joined four other IP treaties administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization over the past year: the Madrid Protocol, the Singapore Treaty and the Nice Agreement for trademarks on June 17, 2019, as well as the Hague Agreement for industrial designs on November 5, 2018.

The collaboration and input of our stakeholders have been critical to the implementation of this treaty. Thank you to those who provided time and expertise throughout the consultation process.

Joining these treaties helps Canadian businesses looking to enter or expand their presence in international markets and supports Canada's IP Strategy and its goal to help Canadian businesses, creators, entrepreneurs and innovators understand, protect and access IP.

Quotes

"I am very pleased that the new Patent Rules and the amendments to the Patent Act to implement the Patent Law Treaty are set to come into force on October 30, 2019. This modernization of our regime reinforces patents as vital tools to protect and incentivize innovation at home and abroad. These are the final pieces to Canada's accession to five international intellectual property treaties over the course of the past year, in support of Canada's Intellectual Property Strategy."

- Johanne BĂ©lisle, CIPO's Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trade-marks and Chief Executive Officer

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Page details

Date modified: