Canada's Significantly Amended Trademark and Anti-Counterfeiting Laws: What U.S. Counsel Need to Do Right Now

Description

Canada’s trademark and anti-counterfeiting laws are being overhauled. The amendments should result in faster, simpler and cheaper protection for brand owners. But the changes will also increase the opportunities for trademark pirates to exploit unwary owners.

Examples of the many important amendments include:

• Canada’s Trademarks Act has been amended. Canadian registrations will soon be permitted without use of the mark having commenced anywhere in the world, in connection with any goods or services. How will this impact brand protection, and what strategies should be considered?
• Canada’s Combating Counterfeit Products Act is poised to come into force in the near future. This will provide new trademark and copyright civil and customs prohibitions and offenses. Learn about the tools that will be available.
• Canada’s Federal Courts Rules have been amended to allow for summary trials. Discover how this can lead to quicker and less expensive litigation against infringers.
• Notice and notice requirements on ISPs, hosts and operators of search engines will soon be implemented.  As debate over privacy rights on the Internet continues in Canada, gain insight into the likely effect of the new provisions.

Listen as our panel of IP attorneys prepares U.S. brand and copyright owners and their counsel for dealing with recent and upcoming changes and what should be done now to fully protect valuable rights north of the border. The panel will thoroughly review all of Canada’s trademark and anti-counterfeiting amendments.