Trademark in Canada | Canadian Trademarks

Apply for a Canadian Registered Trademark

Apply for a US Registered Trademark

Trademarks

A trademark is a word, a symbol, a design or any combination thereof used in association with wares (products) or services. It is a useful tool for distinguishing the wares or services of one entity from those of others in the marketplace. A trademark may come to represent not only wares and services, but also the reputation of the provider of such wares and services. As such, a trademark may constitute valuable intellectual property.

Registration is proof of ownership and therefore a key way of protecting a trademark from misuse and imitation. Registration is not obligatory but is recommended because it is a way of verifying the exclusive right that is established through using the trademark in relation to specific wares or services. It is important to realize that, while registration affords the greatest possible legal protection against infringement or misuse of a trademark, it is, and can never be, a failsafe guarantee against all problems relating to trademark usage. Furthermore, registering a trademark with the Canadian Trademarks Office protects rights in that trademark in Canada only. Where an entity is providing wares or services in association with a given trademark in other countries, registration in each of such other countries should be considered.

In Canada, registration of a trademark consists of having the trademark entered on the Trademarks Register of the Trademarks Office of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office of Industry Canada. The entire process takes approximately ten to twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months, unless there are opposition proceedings, in which case the process can be much longer. To view the application steps click here.
For more information on Canadian trademarks, click here.

U.S. trademark applications can take also anywhere from 12-18 months from time of initial filing to approval for registration. However, this timeline make take additional time depending on the specifics of each application, the timeliness of responses by the applicant and whether opposition proceedings are commenced and litigated. To view application steps click here.
For more information on U.S. trademarks, click here.

Canadian Trademark Application Process

Application. In Canada, a trade-mark is registered by filing an application with the trade-marks Office together with a non-refundable fee of $347.35 for each trade-mark applied for. It is possible to file an application for registration of a trade-mark that is not yet in use somewhere in Canada.
Initial Examination. Within the following four months, the trade-marks Office examiners then carry out a search of trade-mark records for potentially conflicting marks. Should there be no apparent conflict, the examiners then make an initial determination as to the registrability of the trade-mark, assessing such characteristics as whether the trade-mark is "clearly descriptive" or "deceptively mis-descriptive". They will also decide whether the description of the wares or services complies with the regulations and is in normal commercial terms. The examiners advise the applicant of any adverse findings. Applicants may be required to submit revised applications.
Approval. Once past the conflict search stage and initial determination of registrability and any revisions to the application the trade-marks Office will submit for Advertisement.
Advertisement. The trade-mark information is published in the trade-marks Journal. Any interested party may then make representations to the trade-marks Office, such as filing an opposition against registration of the trade-mark owing to alleged confusion with an existing mark. Should this happen, opposition proceedings can, if successful, bring the application process to an end or otherwise delay the registration process for eighteen (18) months or more.
Allowance. If the trade-marks Office receives no objection within approximately two (2) months of publication in the trade-marks Journal, the trade-marks Office issues a notice of allowance of the application for registration.
Registration. To proceed to the final step of registration, a fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) per trade-mark must be paid by the applicant within six (6) months of the date of the notice of allowance. Upon receipt of the registration fees, the trade-marks Office will issue a certificate of registration for each duly registered trade-mark.

Before submitting your trade-mark application, CorporationCentre.ca strongly suggests that you conduct a trade-mark search to review for possible conflicts with other trade-marks.