Trade-Marks Guide (page 2 of 15)
A Guide to Trade-marks (PDF - 2.91 MB - 42 pages)
Understanding Trade-marks – The Basics
Purpose of this guide
This guide explores what trade-marks are, how they can benefit you and your organization, and why registration is important.
Further, this guide provides an overview of the trade-mark registration process. It is not intended as a complete text on Canadian law regarding trade-marks or a substitute for professional advice from a registered trade-mark agent.
For more detailed information on trade-mark procedures, please consult the Trade-marks Act, the Trade-marks Regulations, the Trade-marks Examination Manual, the Wares and Services Manual, as well as the publication What’s in a Name?. Additional information on trade-marks may be obtained from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) Client Service Centre.
Definitions of terms used in this guide are listed in the glossary.
Who we are
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office, an agency of Industry Canada, is responsible for the administration and processing of intellectual property in Canada. CIPO’s areas of activity include trade-marks, patents, copyrights, industrial designs, and integrated circuit topographies.
The Office of the Registrar of Trade-marks (Registrar) oversees the trade-marks process in Canada and is the governing authority on matters relating to trade-marks.
The main functions of the Registrar of Trade-marks are to:
- receive and examine applications for trade-mark registration;
- maintain an electronic inventory of trade-mark registrations and pending marks;
- record transfers of trade-marks;
- record licensing agreements relating to trade-marks;
- provide a search room in which these records may be consulted by the public;
- provide general information to the public about the trade-marks registration process;
- publish the Trade-marks Journal;
- maintain a listing of registered trade-marks agents; and
- administer opposition and summary expungement proceedings (section 45 proceedings).
The Registrar of Trade-marks processes approximately 45 000 applications for trade-mark registration every year.
Contact us
The CIPO Client Service Centre is the central contact point for communicating with CIPO. The Centre provides general information on a range of topics relating to intellectual property, including procedures for registering trade-marks.
Consult with us for general information on intellectual property, assistance in navigating the online Canadian Trade-marks Database, and information on CIPO’s products and services.