Canada Intellectual Property Office

Intellectual Property Rights |Canada Intellectual Property Office

Intellectual Property Rights, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is a federal agency that works under Industry Canada. It is responsible for administering and processing most intellectual property legislation in Canada. Canadian Intellectual Property Office covers intellectual property assets such as Copyrights, Industrial Designs, Integrated Circuit Topographies, Patents and Trademarks.

Canada's intellectual property headquarters is located in the C.D.Howe Building, 235 Queen Street in Ottawa. (The C.D. Howe Building is an office tower in Ottawa, Canada, that is the home of Industry Canada, the Office of the Auditor General and other smaller tenants),. A Special Operating Agency of Industry Canada that administers Canada's intellectual property legislation and regulations regarding patents, trade-marks, copyrights, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies to ensure that they meet present and future client needs, and best contribute to the Canadian economy.

 There are 15 regional offices located across Canada. The Minister of Industry is responsible for 11 federal departments and agencies that make up the Industry Portfolio. The Minister is responsible for many Acts including telecommunications legislation, marketplace and trade regulation, Canadian Intellectual Property Office legislation, and consumer legislation.

The Program areas includes developing industry and technology capability, fostering scientific research, setting telecommunications policy, promoting investment and trade, promoting tourism and small business development, which plays important roles in the market place. Industry Canada has 5522 full-time equivalent employees for the 2007–08 fiscal years.

The common Canada's mandate includes three strategic objectives a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace; an innovative economy; and competitive industry and sustainable communities. The Corporations Canada offers incorporation and related services under the Canada Business Corporations Act, including leading edge online incorporation and other e-filing options.

       The department of Industry Canada works with Canadians throughout the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment improves Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has intellectual property association in Canada. They have all registered patent agents, registered trade-mark agents and lawyers specializing in intellectual property. There is a Canada's premier innovation assistance program for Canadian SMEs. They provides Canadian Small scale sized Medium Entrepreneurs with value-added technological and business advice, financial assistance and a range of other innovation assistance.