All posts by Alan Macek

Budget

The government released its Budget 2022 that includes some IP related provisions:

  • “amendments to the Copyright Act to extend the general term of copyright protection from 50 to 70 years after the life of the author”;
  • “legislative amendments to the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Act to better enable directors of the College to prioritize the public interest”;
  • “Review of Tax Support to R&D and Intellectual Property” including SR&ED and a patent box regime;
  • “$750 million over six years, starting in 2022-23, to support the further growth and development of Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters”; and
  • funding for “CanExport program to help Canadian businesses secure their intellectual property in foreign markets”, expand use of ExploreIP, Canada’s intellectual property marketplace” and “expand the Intellectual Property Legal Clinics Program”.

Online News

Earlier today, the government introduced Bill C-18 “An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada” with the stated purpose “to regulate digital news intermediaries with a view to enhancing fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace and contributing to its sustainability, including the sustainability of independent local news businesses.” and includes a section on implications of copyright.

Intellectual Property Ontario

The province has launched “Intellectual Property Ontario” (see earlier post). From the press release, “Intellectual Property Ontario is a new board-governed agency, which will be a go-to resource for IP expertise to help Ontario-based researchers and companies maximize the value of their IP, strengthen their capacity to grow, compete in the global market and enhance their research and commercialization outcomes.”