Tag: Fogler Rubinoff

Reverse Class Actions in Canada: A New Form of IP Litigation

On September 8, 2021, the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) in Canada released its decision in Salna v. Voltage Pictures, LLC, 2021 FCA 176 which considered whether a reverse class action, a term used colloquially to describe where a plaintiff seeks certification of a respondent/defendant class proceeding, could be pursued in connection with a copyright … Continue Reading

SCC LEAVE DENIED: PUBLIC AUTHORITIES — NOT IMMUNE TO TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS

The Supreme Court of Canada has denied leave to appeal of the Ontario (Energy) v Quality Program Services Inc.1 Federal Court decision, thereby bringing finality to whether public authorities are immune to trademark infringement claims arising from use of their official marks. This Federal Court case law confirms that registered trademark owners will continue to enjoy the … Continue Reading

THE FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL UPHOLDS CANADA’S ANTI-SPAM LEGISLATION AS CONSTITUTIONAL

On June 5, 2020, the Federal Court of Appeal (“FCA“) released its decision in 3510395 Canada Inc. v. Attorney General of Canada et al., 2020 FCA 103, in which it upheld the constitutionality of Canada’s anti-spam legislation (“CASL“). CASL is the federal law which regulates the way in which businesses may communicate with consumers using electronic means. The … Continue Reading

WILL THERE BE TRADEMARK TROLLS IN CANADA OR ARE THEY ALREADY HERE?

The Canadian Trademarks Act amendments, which are allegedly coming into force in early 2019, include the removal of the requirement that a trademark applicant declare that it has been using its trademark before it files the application or before registration in Canada. The amendments are meant to bring Canada’s laws in line with international treaties. The … Continue Reading

CHANGING CANADIAN TRADEMARK LAWS – THE NEXT STEPS

As part of the implementation of various changes to Canadian Trademark Laws, the Federal Government of Canada released in June, 2017 the new proposed Trademark Regulations for public consultation. Canada has been modernizing its trademark law, including by moving to join three International Treaties administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) dealing with trademarks.  … Continue Reading

CarGurus Enters Canada – Suit Ensues For Statutory Damages under the Canadian Copyright Act

The plaintiff in a copyright infringement action has the option to choose to receive statutory damages rather than to establish its actual quantum of damages it has suffered. Statutory damages range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $20,000 for the infringements related to a given work. A plaintiff might choose statutory damages … Continue Reading

Industrial Design Protection in Canada: Changes Before the Office January, 2017

Industrial design registrations under the Industrial Design Act (the “Act”) are similar to design patents in the US.  They protect the features of a product that are visually appealing and not purely utilitarian. They can consist of a shape, configuration or composition of pattern or color, or combination of pattern and color in three-dimensional form, … Continue Reading

USE IT OR LOSE IT- in Canada

Under the Canadian Trade-marks Act, one can request that the Registrar of Trade-marks commence Section 45 Proceedings to cancel a trademark registration for non-use.  The Act states that the Registrar shall, upon the written request by any person (who pays the prescribed fee) after three years from the date of registration of a trademark, unless … Continue Reading

IT’S NICE IN CANADA THESE DAYS – CANADIAN TRADE-MARKS OFFICE IS ADOPTING NICE CLASSIFICATION

As of September 28, 2015, the Canadian Trade-marks Office  (“CIPO”) indicated that it accepts trade-mark applications with the goods and services grouped and classed according to the Nice Classification system.  CIPO issued a Practice Notice entitled Nice Classification on September 28, 2015.  Prior to September 28th, the Nice classification system was not used in Canada … Continue Reading

“The Donald” Trump – Avoids Trade-mark Licensor Liability in Canada

I spent years at my office watching the gradual construction of the 70-story mixed-use TRUMP TOWER complex in downtown Toronto, Canada.  It is now a Toronto landmark and a place for the lawyers and bankers in the financial district to wine and dine clients.  Trump, two of his affiliated companies (Affiliates) plus the licensed developer … Continue Reading
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