As we previously reported, Canada will be significantly changing its trademark law. The anticipated date for the implementation of the new law has been pushed back many times by the Canadian government. The most recent forecast from the government, which seems to have been provided with more confidence than previous forecasts, is that the new law is expected to come into force in early 2019.
Among many other changes, the new law will eliminate the need to provide use information when filing a trademark application, abolish the requirement to file a Declaration of Use at the end of the application process and allow for the registration of non-traditional marks including scent marks, texture marks and marks for colour per se. The new law will also implement the Madrid Protocol.
We will provide further updates as the date for implementation of the new law approaches.
For further information please contact a member of our firm's Trademarks Group.
The preceding is intended as a timely update on Canadian intellectual property and technology law. The content is informational only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. To obtain such advice, please communicate with our offices directly.