Patents

A patent is the means for an inventor to claim ownership of an invention. Inventions that can be patented cover a broad spectrum, ranging from a machine to a new drug composition.

To obtain a patent the inventor must apply for the patent or assign their rights to another party who then applies. If the patent is granted, the inventor has the exclusive right to that invention for the 20 year term of the patent. This means that others are excluded from using the invention and if someone else wants to use the invention they must ask the patent holder for permission.

Innovate LLP would be happy to help you with your patent needs, which might include:

• Applications
• Drafting
• Drawings
• Infringement & Validity Opinions
• Licensing
  
• Litigation & Disputes
• Patent Portfolio Management
• Patent Prosecution
  
• PCT filing
• US Provisional Patent
  
• Renewals

Trade-marks

A trade-mark is generally any word, phrase, design, symbol, number, shape of a product, packaging, colour or combination of the above that is used to distinguish the products and services that are provided by your company from those of your competitors. The trade-mark is limited in protection to the specific wares and services that the mark is used in association with.

There are two basic types of trade-mark: a word mark is the broadest in protection and it is literally just the words, without any formatting. The text itself functions as a trade-mark. A design mark can be a graphic with or without text, or text in a specific graphical style.

Innovate LLP would be happy to help you with your trade-mark needs, which might include:

• Applications
• Branding
• Design Mark Applications
  
• Infringement Opinions
• Licensing
• Litigation & Disputes
• Monitoring
• Renewal
• Trade-mark Portfolio Management
• US and Canadian filing
• Word Mark Applications

Litigation / Disputes

Our intellectual property and commercial litigation practice covers a wide spectrum of issues including patent, trade-mark, copyright (including software) business relationships, torts and enforcement actions.  Included in our litigation practice is pre-litigation demands and settlements.

Innovate LLP would be happy to help you settle your dispute or litigate the matter. 

• Administrative Tribunals
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  
• Appeals
  
• Arbitration
  
• Demand Letters
  
• Mediation
  
• Motions
• Trade-mark Opposition Board (TMOB)
  
• Trials (Federal & Provincial)
  
• Regulatory Bodies

Corporate / Commercial

Whether your company is just starting or well established it is likely that you will need your business agreements reviewed. Our experience in commercial agreements is broad but focused on companies with existing or planned intellectual property (patents, trade-marks, copyright).

Innovate LLP would be happy to help you with your business needs.

• Convertible Debenture
• Corporate Governance
• Employment Agreement
• Independent Contractor Agreement
• License Agreement
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Negotiations
• Non-Disclosure Agreement
• Purchase and Sale Agreement
• Shareholder Agreement