The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO; French: Office de la propriété intellectuelle du Canada, OPIC) is responsible for the administration and processing of the greater part of intellectual property (IP) in Canada. CIPO's areas of activity include patents, trademarks, copyright, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies. Structurally, CIPO functions as a special operating agency (SOA) under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. CIPO is based in Gatineau, Quebec, part of the National Capital Region. CIPO’s Chief Executive Officer is Konstantinos Georgaras.
CIPO plays an integral role in the Canadian innovation ecosystem and cooperates with its counterpart organizations around the world through international IP treaties. Continued collaboration with international partners and domestic stakeholders strengths the Canadian IP regime and provides CIPO’s clients with opportunities to extract greater value from their creations and inventions.
In 2019, Canada ratified and fully implemented the Hague Agreement for industrial designs; the Madrid Protocol, the Singapore Treaty and the Nice Agreement for trademarks; and the Patent Law Treaty for patents.
Mandate
CIPO is responsible for processing applications to register patents, trademarks, copyrights and industrial designs. CIPO's mandate is to provide this service and, more generally, to provide education on intellectual property to Canadians. By modernizing the national IP system and collaborating with its international counterparts, CIPO helps innovators and entrepreneurs grow their business in global markets and attract foreign investments to Canada. In particular, the Trademarks and Industrial Design Branch is responsible for processing filings, conducting examinations and approving or refusing applications. If a trademark application is refused, there is a right of appeal to the Federal Court of Canada. More specifically, the Patent Branch is responsible for processing filings, conducting examinations and approving or refusing applications. CIPO is responsible for processing copyright applications, assignments and licences.
Industrial designs
Industrial design registration provides protection for the original visual features of a product. CIPO administers the Industrial Design Act and the Industrial Design Regulations. CIPO is responsible for processing filings, conducting examinations and approving or refusing applications. If an industrial design application is considered for refusal, the decision can be reviewed by the Patent Appeal Board. CIPO is responsible for processing integrated circuit topography applications, assignments and licences.