CIPO releases its 2018–2019 Annual Report: Helping make Canada a global centre of innovation

News release

Gatineau, Canadian Intellectual Property Office

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) 2018–2019 Annual Report was tabled in the House of Commons.

The report presents CIPO's achievements for the 2018–2019 fiscal year in relation to the priorities of its Five-Year Business Strategy (2017–2022).

Since the launch (on April 26, 2018) of the first-ever national Intellectual Property Strategy, which aims to help Canadian innovators better understand and protect intellectual property (IP), CIPO has partnered with numerous organizations to provide new programs, seminars and tools that equip innovators with the IP knowledge they need to succeed.

In 2018–2019, CIPO made significant progress in Canada's implementation of 5 international IP treaties, which provide Canadians with a faster, simpler and more cost-effective way to protect their IP in multiple countries, and which help attract foreign investment.

Granting quality and timely IP rights to clients around the world continues to be the core of CIPO's mandate. In 2018–2019, CIPO established an organization-wide quality management framework and policy. CIPO also held a Patent Quality Summit to engage clients in improvements to patent practices.

Looking ahead, CIPO is doing more to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of our services and to lead on the international stage. CIPO will continue to help businesses unlock the value of IP and partner with others in the IP ecosystem to help make Canada a global centre of innovation.

Quotes

"It is an exciting time for IP in Canada and the world. At CIPO, we strive to deliver quality and timely IP rights every day. The implementation of 5 international IP treaties helps set the stage for Canadian businesses and innovators to more effectively grow and compete globally. Through the national IP Strategy, we are helping Canadians recognize the value of IP and its importance to business growth."

Johanne Bélisle, Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trademarks and Chief Executive Officer

Quick facts

  • In 2018–2019, CIPO received more applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright than the previous year.

  • CIPO collaborated with 24 IP offices through the Global Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot and 5 bilateral agreements. In 2018–2019, CIPO received 2,898 valid PPH requests, up 12.5% from the previous year.

  • Since 1997, CIPO has hosted 21 executive workshops with the World Intellectual Property Organization and welcomed senior officials from 82 countries. Through this workshop, CIPO provides technical assistance to developing countries and a forum for IP offices to share best practices.

  • In 2018–2019, CIPO's IP awareness and education program held almost 100 seminars on topics like IP fundamentals, strategy and commercialization. We produced new products to help Canadian innovators and businesses navigate the IP landscape.

Associated links

Contacts

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

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