Marks & Clerk is proud to announce that three of our Canadian Partners and one Canadian associate have been appointed to serve as Committee Chairs for the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC). These committees support IPIC’s efforts to ensure that the interests of the Canadian IP profession are considered in relevant legislation, regulation, policies, and international treaties. They prepare submissions to government and participate in IPIC’s advocacy efforts.
Jean-Charles Grégoire is the incoming Chair of the IPIC Patent Committee. This committee monitors proposed amendments to the Patent Act and Patent Rules and any other policy relating to patents and suggests desirable amendments to patent-related legislation. The committee is also charged with monitoring developments in patent law harmonization and practice issues within CIPO and/or WIPO.
Catherine (Cat) Lovrics is the incoming Chair of the IPIC Copyright Committee. The committee monitors and provides feedback on potential improvements to Canadian copyright law that reflect the practical knowledge of the IP professional community in Canada.
Amrita V. Singh is the incoming Chair of the IPIC Litigation Committee. This committee examines the law, practice and procedure respecting intellectual property litigation, and coordinates feedback from the Bar to the Federal and provincial governments on IP issues, as well as engaging in advocacy with Canadian courts and tribunals.
In addition, we are pleased to share that Toronto associate Dane Smith is the incoming Chair of the IPIC Public Awareness Committee. This committee will initiate activities, including some with partners, aimed at small and medium business, universities, and any other group which can be targeted to provide a basic understanding of IP, its benefits and why to use an IP professional. Members of the committee will be involved in the development of the IPIC Bank of Speakers to identify expert speakers for various events and will also be asked to participate as speakers as required.
Congratulations to all those who have been appointed!
IPIC is the association of Canadian intellectual property professionals, including patent agents, trademark agents and lawyers. Originally founded in 1926, IPIC has over 1700 members and serves as a voice of IP professionals across the nation. IPIC works towards providing continuing education and other resources to IP professionals, advocating on behalf of the profession to advance IP policy in Canada and raising awareness about the value of IP to Canadian businesses.
To learn more about IPIC please click here.
To learn more about IPIC's memberships, click here.