Intellectual Property
Alberta Legislation
Alberta governs intellectual property as it relates to trade name registration, company transfers, and licensing your business.
For more information about registering a business name in Alberta, see:
Federal Legislation
The federal government regulates the protection of intellectual property in Canada for the most part. Federal statutes regulate patents, trademarks, copyright and moral rights, industrial designs, topography rights and plant breeders' rights.
Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
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. CIPO oversees intellectual property regulation for:
- Copyrights
- Industrial Designs
- Integrated Circuit Topographies
- Patents
- Trademarks
Copyrights
Copyright prohibits others from copying your work without your permission. Copyright gives the owner the exclusive right to protect the way in which information or a particular idea is communicated. Copyrights provide protection for various artistic, dramatic, musical, sound recording, performance or literary works (including computer programs).
Industrial Designs
An industrial design includes the aesthetic aspect and particular features of an article produced by hand, tool or machine. Some of the elements considered in an industrial design are shape, configuration, pattern or ornament (or any combination thereof) which applies to the finished article.
Integrated Circuit Topographies
Integrated Circuit Topography refers to the three-dimensional configuration of the electronic circuits used in microchips and semiconductor chips.
Patents
Through a patent, the government grants inventors exclusive rights to their inventions. Patent protection applies in the country that issues the patent. In Canada, this protection is valid for 20 years from the date of filing. Patents are granted for products or processes that are new, workable, useful and ingenious.
Trademarks
Trademarks are words, symbols or designs (or a combination of these), used to identify and distinguish a product or service of one person or organization from those of others. A trademark may only be used by the owner of the trademark.
For more information about intellectual property legislation in Canada, visit:
- Acts Relating to Intellectual Property
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Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency
A not-for-profit agency established by Canadian publishers and creators to license public access to copyright works.
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Canadian Intellectual Property Office
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Information about copyrights in Canada, including a guide to copyrights, application process, publications, legislation, online and printable forms, and other useful links.
- Copyrights Database
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Information on industrial designs in Canada, including: guide to industrial designs, application process, publications, legislation, links, online and printable forms.
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Integrated Circuit Topographies
Guide to integrated circuit topographies, legislation, links, online and printable forms, fees, FAQ's, and more.
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Comprehensive information about patents, some of which includes: a guide to patents, legislation, application process, agents, publications, online and printable forms and FAQ's.
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This database provides access to over 75 years of Canadian patent descriptions and images. It is possible to search, retrieve and study more than 1,500,000 patent documents.
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Information including a guide to trademarks, application process, publications, legislation, agents, links, online and printable forms, FAQ's, and more.
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Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)
IPIC is an association of professionals who specialize in intellectual property. IPIC works to protect and promote intellectual property in the Canadian economy.
Date Updated: Feb 13, 2007
RDP-1019