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INTA and CIPO Sign Agreement to Enhance Trademark Protection and Economic Development

29-Nov-2018 | Source : INTA | Visits : 5151
NEW YORK – The International Trademark Association (INTA) and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that serves as the foundation for developing cooperative activities in the field of trademarks and other related activities, a press release by INTA stated.

INTA President Tish Berard and CIPO’s Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trademarks and Chief Executive Officer, Johanne Bélisle, signed the agreement on behalf of their organizations at the CIPO offices in Ottawa, Canada.

INTA and CIPO have collaborated in the past on a number of initiatives. In 2018 alone, the two organizations shared information and resources, and consulted regarding CIPO’s office practices and legislative agenda, including Canada's intended accession to the Singapore, Madrid, and NICE treaties on June 17, 2019. CIPO has also welcomed INTA’s input on drafts of its Proposed Trademark Regulations, Opposition Practice Changes, Examination Practice Notices (supporting Bill C-31 changes), and Practice Notice on Surnames. 

This MoU takes into account the value of intellectual property (IP) and the need for IP protection for the purposes of economic, social, and cultural development, and in the promotion of innovation; the desire to continue developing cooperation between the government and the private sector to bolster the trademark system and support economic development; and the role of harmonization in regional IP systems and effective trademarks protection. 

Areas of cooperation outlined in the MOU may include:

Exchanging experiences, educational materials, and information on issues of mutual interest;
Developing programs and collaborative projects aimed at the improvement of the trademark system, and
Organizing training seminars for trademark examiners and training programs for brand owners that facilitate public-private sector dialogue.

During the signing ceremony, Ms. Berard thanked CIPO for the productive relationship that has been fostered between the two organizations. “We greatly appreciate your office’s openness to stakeholders’ input and willingness to engage collaboratively with us,” she said. “We now look forward to deepening this relationship in the areas of focus outlined in this MOU to help foster economic growth and consumer protection.” 

“The Canadian Intellectual Property Office is happy to deepen our collaboration with the International Trademark Association,” said Ms. Bélisle. “Our new Memorandum of Understanding proposes a number of new initiatives with INTA in important areas, including a speakers’ series and activities focused on improving the quality and timeliness of IP rights, awareness building and stakeholder engagement with the broader trademark community. This international collaboration supports the Government of Canada’s Intellectual Property Strategy, and is another excellent example of our efforts on the world stage to advance the Innovation and Skills Plan, helping position Canada as a global innovation center.”

Canada is among the world’s 20 most-innovative economies, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) 2018 Global Innovation Index. As the report finds, the Canadian economy is particularly favorable to brand owners, both domestic and internationally, in terms of its institutional strength (political, regulatory, and business environments) and market sophistication, ranking third globally in terms of ease of starting a business and venture capital deals. 

INTA currently holds similar agreements with over a dozen IP offices and organizations globally, including with Brazil, China, Italy, Korea, Macedonia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
 
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