Survey of the Amendments to the Canadian Intellectual Property Statutes and Regulations (1996)


SURVEYOFTHEAMENDMENTSTOTHECANADIANINTELLECTUALPROPERTY
STATUTESANDREGULATIONS(1996)

by
GarabedNahabedian,HuguesG.Richard,
DianeLeduc-CampbellandLaurentCarrière
*
LEGERROBICRICHARD,Lawyers,
ROBIC,Patent&TrademarkAgents
CentreCDPCapital
1001Square-Victoria-BlocE–8
thFloor
Montreal,Quebec,CanadaH2Z2B7
Tel.(514)9876242-Fax(514)8457874
www.robic.ca-info@robic.com

PARTI-IMPLEMENTATIONOF”TRIPS”INCANADA

By
DianeLeduc-CampbellandLaurentCarrière

TheintellectualpropertyprovisionsoftheWorldTradeOrganization
AgreementImplementationAct(S.C.1994,c.47)cameintoforceon
1996.01.01inordertogiveeffecttosomeofCanada’sobligationsunder
Annex1C[AgreementonTrade-RelatedAspectsofIntellectualProperty
Rightsor”TRIPs”]oftheAgreementEstablishingtheWorldTradeOrganization
[FinalActembodyingTheResultsOfTheUruguayRoundofMultilateralTrade
Negotiations.signedatMarrakeshonApril15,1994].
EventhoughmostofTRIPs’requirementswerealreadysatisfiedbyCanada’s
existingintellectualpropertystatuteprovisions,togetherwiththeCommon
LawandtheQuebecCivilCode,somemodificationswerenevertheless
requiredandarehereinbelowsummarized.
COPYRIGHT
Copyrightprotectionisextendedtocitizensorordinaryresidentsofcountries
memberoftheWorldTradeOrganization(WTO),inadditiontothoseofthe
BerneConvention(1886,oranyofitsrevisions)andtheUniversalCopyright
Convention(1952or1971versions)[s.2,ss.5(1)].Thesewillbeknownastreaty
countries.WhereacountryjoinstheBerneConventionortheWTOafterthe

LEGERROBICRICHARD.1997.*AllwiththelawfirmLEGERROBICRICHARD,g.p.andthepatentandtrademarkagencyfirm
ROBIC,g.p.ASIA-PACIFICLAWYERSASSOCIATION(1997),13APLAJOURNAL.Publication206.


dateofmakingorofpublicationofawork,suchmembershipisdeemed
retroactivetothatdateofmakingorpublication,providedthatcopyright
protectionoftheworkhasnotalreadyexpiredattheactualdateofjoining
BerneorWTO[ss.5(1.01),ss.5(1.02)].
Liveperformancesofpre-existingartistic,dramatic,musicalorliteraryworks,
andliveimprovisationsofsuchtypesofworksbecomesubjecttoperformers’
rights.Theperformerhasthesolerighttofix(bymeansofarecordorother
soundreproducingcontrivance)suchaperformanceoranysubstantialpart
thereof,toreproducethefixationandtocommunicateitoranyreproduction
thereofinwholeorinsubstantialpart,tothepublicbytelecommunication,
andtoauthorizeanysuchacts(s.14.01).However,theperformancemust
takeplaceinaWTOmembercountry,onorafterthedayatwhichsection
14.01comesintoeffect(1/1/96)andthedayonwhichthatcountryjoinsthe
WTO.Pre-WTOperformancesaregivenprotectionwithrespectto
reproductionsofthefixedperformance[ss.14.01(4)].Theperiodofprotection
is50yearsfollowingtheendofthecalendaryearinwhichtheperformance
takesplace[ss.14.01(5)].
Thisrecognitionofperformers’rightsisaccompaniedbynewprovisionson
theirinfringement,withexceptionssuchasfairdealingforthepurposesof
privatestudyorreview,etc.,themakingofatemporaryfixationofthe
performanceforpurposesofnewspaperreportingofapubliclecture,the
reproductionofafixationfornationalarchivesandthelike(s.28.02).In
additiontocivilrecourses,criminalliabilityisincurredfortheinfringementof
performers’rights(s.43.1).Relatedamendmentsprovidefortheprotectionof
rightsandthepossibilityofcompensationwhereapersonhas,beforea
countrybecomesatreatycountry,incurredexpendituresorliabilitiesin
connectionwithanactwhichwillconstituteinfringementoncethecountry
acquiresthestatusoftreatycountry(s.28.03,s.29).TheCanadianCopyright
Boardwillhavepowertodeterminetheamountofcompensationfor
restorationofcopyrightorofperformers’rightsundersuchcircumstances
(s.70.8).
Toroundoutthenewschemeofprotectionforperformances,unlawful
fixationsorreproductionsabouttobeimportedintoCanadaareincludedin
theworksforwhichinterimgovernmentcustodymaybeobtained.
TheprovisionsoncompulsorylicencesstillremainingintheCopyrightActare
repealed.
TRADE-MARKS


Anewdefinitionof”countryoftheUnion”,insection2,nowextendstoWTO
membersthebenefits(e.g.priority,righttoregistrationonthebasisofhome
registrationanduse,protectionofflagsoremblems)previouslygivento
applicantsfromcountriesoftheUnionfortheProtectionofIndustrialProperty
constitutedundertheParisConvention.
InkeepingwithTRIPS,amendmentstotheTrade-marksActprovidea
comprehensivecodeforprotectinggeographicalindicationsinCanada.
Thesearedefinedinsection2asindicationsforwinesandspiritswhich
identifytheseproductsasoriginatingintheterritoryorregionorlocalityofa
WTOmember,whereaquality,reputationorothercharacteristicofthewine
orspiritisessentiallyattributabletoitsorigin,andwhereitisprotectedbythe
lawsapplicabletothatWTOmember.
TheRegistrarofTrade-markswillkeepthelistofgeographicalindications.
ThesewillhavebeenpublishedintheCanadaGazette(notintheTrade
MarksJournal),withrelevantinformation(s.11.12).Itwillbepossibletofilea
statementofobjectiontoentryoftheindicationontheRegistrar’slist,within
threemonthsofpublication.However,theonlypossiblegroundforobjection
isthattheindicationisnotageographicalindication,presumablyin
accordancewiththedefinitionofsection2(s.11.13).Subsequentstepsinthe
objectionproceedingsfollowgrossomodothoseprovidedintrade-mark
oppositions.
Theadoptionanduseofaprotectedgeographicalindicationforwinesand
spirits,orofatranslationthereofinanylanguage,areprohibited(s.11.14,
s.11.15).Exceptionsareprovidedinthecaseofpersonalnames,comparative
advertising,priorusebyaCanadianwithrespecttowaresorservicesina
continuousmanneringoodfaithsinceApril15,1994orforatleast10years
beforethatdate(s.11.16,s.11.17).Otherexceptionsarethefallingintodisuse
oftheindicationorthecessationofprotectionundertheWTOcountry’slaws,
aswellasanidentitybetweentheindicationandacustomarytermusedin
Canada,orthecustomarynameofagrapevariety(s.11.18).Afurtherand
importantexceptionrelatestothegenericnamesforwines(e.g.
champagne,port,chablis,claret)andspirits(e.g.ouzo,sambuca,schnapps,
bitters)listedinsection11.18;thislistmayfromtimetotimebeamendedby
theGovernorinCouncil.
Theprotectionconferredtogeographicalindicationsmaynolongerbe
enforcedifnoproceedingsaretakenagainstuseoradoptionthereofbya
personincontraventiontotheAct,withinfiveyearsofsuchadoptionoruse
becominggenerallyknowninCanadaorfiveyearsofregistrationinCanada
ofthetrade-markbythatperson,unlessitisproventhatthepersonknewsuch
adoptionorusetobecontrarytosections11.14or11.15[ss.11.19(1)].


Intrade-markadministrativecancellationproceedingsforreasonofnon-use,
therelevantperiodtobeconsideredwillbeextendedfromtwotothree
years.Thustheownermustshowthathistrade-markwasusedinCanadaat
anytimeduringthethreeyearsprecedingtheRegistrar’snoticerequiringhim
tofurnishevidenceofuse,orprovidesuitablejustificationfortheabsenceof
use[ss.45(1)].
PATENTS
Adefinitionoftheterm”country”isaddedtosection2ofthePatentAct
(R.S.C.1985,c.P-4),providingthatthetermincludesaMemberoftheWorld
TradeOrganization.Thisamendmentwidensthescopeof”country”with
respecttothepriorityfilingdateforinstance.
Sections19and19.1ofthePatentActpresentlyprovideamechanismforthe
CommissionerofPatentstoauthorizethegovernmentofCanadaorthe
governmentofaCanadianprovincetouseapatentedinventionunder
certainconditions.Anewsubsection19.1(4)statesthattheCommissioner
maynot,however,authorizeanyuseofsemi-conductortechnologyother
thanapublicnon-commercialuse.
WhileadhesiontotheWTOwillcause,intheUnitedStates,anextensionofthe
termofpatentprotectiontotwentyyearsfromtheearliestU.S.filingdatefor
filingsmadeafterJune7,1995,theCanadianPatentActalreadyprovidesfor
suchatwenty-yearterm(s.44).
INDUSTRIALDESIGNS
Anewsubsection29(2)intheIndustrialDesignAct(R.S.C.1985,c.I-9)givesa
definitionoftheexpression”foreigncountry”,meaningacountrythatby
treaty,conventionorlawaffordsapriorityprivilegetocitizensofCanadawith
respecttotheeffectivedateofanapplicationforregistrationofanindustrial
design,andincludesaWTOMember.Aswell,anamendmenttosubsection
29(1)effectivelyenlargesthebasisofapriorityclaimtoapplicationsfilednot
onlyin
aforeigncountry,butalsoforaforeigncountry,therebyincluding
applicationsmadethroughtheinternationalregistrationsystemoftheHague
Convention(1925).
INTEGRATEDCIRCUITTOPOGRAPHIES
Anewsection2.1subjectstheCanadianfederalandprovincialgovernments
totheIntegratedCircuitTopographyAct(R.S.C.1985,c.I-14.6).Inaddition,


protectionisgrantedtonationalsofWTOMemberswithoutnecessityofa
particularagreementorofpublicationofanoticeofreciprocityinthe
CanadaGazette[subsection4(1)(c)(iv)].
Theamendmentsalsoprovideacodeforgovernmentaluseoftopographies.
Inaccordancewithsubsection7.1(1),theCommissionerofPatents(rather
thantheRegistrarofTopographies)may,uponapplicationbythe
governmentofCanadaorthegovernmentofaprovince,authorizethe
publicnon-commercialuseofaregisteredtopographybythatgovernment.
TheCommissionermustsettheperiodandothertermsofsuchusein
accordancewiththefollowingprinciples:(a)thescopeanddurationofuse
willbelimitedtothepurposeforwhichtheuseisauthorized;(b)the
authorizedusewillbenon-exclusive;and(c)anyusewillbeauthorized
predominantlytosupplythedomesticmarket[ss.7.1(2)].Inaccordancewith
subsection7.1(3),theCommissionermustnotifythetopographyownerofany
suchpermitteduseandtheownerwillbepaidadequateremunerationsetby
theCommissioner.Theauthorizedusemaybeterminateduponapplication
bytheownerandafterallpartieshavehadtheopportunityofbeingheard,if
theCommissionerissatisfiedthatthecircumstancesthatledtothegranting
oftheauthorizationhaveoftheauthorizeduser’slegitimateinterests[ss.
7.1(5)].AnydecisionmadebytheCommissionerundersections7.1and7.2is
subjecttoappealtotheFederalCourtunderthePatentAct.
MISCELLANEOUS
ThePestControlProductsAct,FertilizersActandFoodandDrugsActwere
alsoamendedtoallowaregulation-makingauthorityinrespectof
undisclosedtestdatawithrespecttopharmaceuticalandagricultural
chemicalproductssubmittedformarketingapproval.
TheDefenseProductionActwasalsoamendedtoallowtheMinisterof
NationalDefencetodealwiththeinfringinguseofanyregistredtopography
intheperformanceofadefencecontract,asitwasalreadythecasewith
respecttopatentandregistredindustrialdesigns.

PARTII-ANOVERVIEWOFTHETRADE-MARKSREGULATIONS(1996)

by
LaurentCarrièreandHuguesG.Richard


TheTrade-MarksRegulations(1996)werepublishedinthe1996.05.01editionof
theCanadaGazette-PartII(vol.130,No9,pp.1306-1326)andcameinto
forceon1996.04.16(DORS/96-195P.C.1996-490).Hereisabriefoverviewof
theseregulations.
GENERALPROVISIONSANDCORRESPONDENCE:RULES1-17
OnemaynowcorrespondwiththeRegistrarbyfacsimileforallmatters,other
thanforanapplicationfortheregistrationofatrade-mark(r.3).
Communicationcanbemade(exceptfortheOppositionBoard)withthe
generalnumberforthemailroomat,(819)997-3671.Afacsimileisdeemed
tobereceivedbytheRegistraronthedayitistransmitted,wherethe
transmissiontakesplacebeforemidnight,atHulltime.Transmissionby
facsimiledoesnotrequireacopyofconfirmation.Thefollowing,however,
cannotbetransmittedbyfacsimile:whateverrequirestobeaccompanied
bypaymentandwhateverisrequiredtobesignedontheoriginal(for
example,evidenceinoppositionmattersorinasection45proceedings).
Thegeneralrulepertainingtocorrespondenceisthatinordertocancelthe
registrationofatrade-mark,or,toappointarepresentativeforservice
(section41(1)),eachcommunicationaddressedtotheRegistrarshalldeal
withonlyoneapplicationoroneregistrationofatrade-mark(r.5).Thisisnot
thecasehoweverforthetransferofrights,(section48)andforthechangeof
nameoraddressofanapplicantorofaregisteredowner.
Ifthetrade-markapplicationispending,thecorrespondencemustindicate
thenameoftheapplicant,aswellastheapplicationnumber(ifavailable)
andthetrade-markitself.Ifthetrade-markisregisteredhowever,onemust
indicatetheregistrationnumber,theapplicationnumberandthetrade-mark
itself(r.7).Ifanaddressneedstobefurnisheditshouldincludethestreet
nameandnumber(ifitexists)andthepostalcode(r.6).
AlldocumentsfiledwiththeOfficeoftheRegistrarofTrade-marksshallbe
presentedonwhitepaper.Thedocumentdoesnotnecessarilyhavetobe
typed,howeveritmustbepresentedclearlyandlegibly.Itshouldmeasure(r.
13)aminimumof81/2″x11″(21cmx28cm)andamaximumof81/2″x14″
(22cmx35cm).Leftanduppermarginsshouldmeasureatleast1″(2.5cm).
(Theoretically,thesedimensionsshouldalsoapplytoevidencethatisfiled).
TheregulationsnolongerincludeformsinScheduleII.Moreover,thereisno
longertherequirementthatthesealoftheTrade-MarkOfficebeappended
oncertificatesissuedbytheRegistrar.Theprescribedfeesarenowpayable
totheReceiverGeneral,inCanadiancurrency,andmustbeforwardedto
theRegistrar(r.12).


Finally,theFrenchtranslationoftheTrade-MarksJournalhasbecomethe
JournaldesMarquesdeCommerce(r.2).
TRADE-MARKAGENTS:RULES18-23
Tobeeligibletositforaqualifyingexamination,onemustmeetoneofthe
followingconditions.Eitherbeabarristerorsolicitorentitledtopractiseas
suchinaprovince,or,anotaryentitledtopractiseassuchintheprovinceof
Quebec.Otherwise,onemusthaveworkedinCanadaintheareaof
Canadiantrade-marklawandpracticeincludingthepreparationand
prosecutionofapplicationsfortheregistrationsoftrade-marks,foraperiodof
notlessthan24months.Therulesdonotspecifyiftheworknecessarilyhasto
beonacontinuousbasisnorifitnecessarilyhastobeunderthesupervisionof
aregisteredagent.Furthermore,theprevious”proofofgoodreputation”
requirementnolongerexists(r.18).
Thefollowingpersonsmaybeenteredonalistoftrade-markagents:
(a)ACanadianresidentwhohaspassedthequalifyingexamination;

(bAbarristersolicitor,ornotaryentitledtopracticeassuchinthe
provinceofQuebec,whohassubmittedanaffidavitdeclaring
thathehasworkedforatleast24monthsintheareaoftrade-
marklawincludingthepreparationandprosecutionof
applicationsforregistrationoftrade-marks(therulesdonot
specifyifithastobeCanadian
trade-marklawnoriftheyearsof
worknecessarilyhavetohavebeenonacontinuousbasisin
Canada).

(c)Aresidentofanyothercountrywhoisentitledtopractisebefore
theTrade-MarksOfficeofthatcountry.Ifhedoesnotresidein
Canada,however,heshallappointanassociateagentwhoisa
residentofCanada(r.9);

(d)Anyfirmhavingthenameofatleastoneofitsmembersentered
onthelistasatrade-markagent(r.21).

AstotheExaminingBoard,itsmembersareappointedbytheRegistrar.The
RegistrarisnolongeramemberoftheExaminingBoard(r.19).Withregards
totherenewalofone’sregistrationastrade-markagent,theRegistrarwillin
thefuturesendonlyonenoticeofrenewal(r.22).


APPLICATIONSFORREGISTRATION:RULES24-29
Thepreviousrequirementtofileaspecimenofthetrade-marknolonger
exists.Rather,theRegistrarmayrequirethataspecimenofthetrade-markas
usedbefurnishedifhedeemsittobeappropriate.Thispolicyapplies
retroactivelyforallpendingapplications(r.29).
Applicationsfortheregistrationoftrade-marksnolongerrequiretobesigned.
Thismaypredictfuturefilingbyelectronicmail(r.25).TheRegistrarrequires
thatonlyonedrawingofatrade-markbeincludedwiththeapplication(r.
25).Thedrawingshallbeinblackandwhiteandinthefollowingformat(r.
27):
(a)Itshallbenolargerthan23/4″by23/4″(7cmx7cm).

(b)Itmaybereproducedonpaperthatsatisfiestherequirementsof
r.13.

(c)TheRegistrarmayrequireanapplicanttofileanewdrawingifit
isnotsuitableforreproductioninthejournal.

However,rule28providesthatifinanapplicationfortrade-markregistration
acolourisclaimedasafeature,thecolourshallbedescribed.Ifthe
descriptionisnotclear,theRegistrarmayrequiretheapplicanttofilea
drawinglinedforcolourinaccordancewiththecolourchartfoundatr.28(2)
Rule29providesthattheRegistrarcanrequirethetranslationineitherFrench
orEnglishofwhatisnotineitherofthesetwolanguages.Furthermore,he
mayalsorequireatransliterationofthematerialwherethetrade-mark
containsmaterialexpressedincharactersotherthanLatincharactersorin
numeralsotherthanArabicorRomannumerals.
Rule25washarmonizedwithsection34oftheAct,sothatthedateofthe
filingofanapplicationisdeemedtobetheprioritydateclaimed.
Notethatrule25a)(iii)(B)doesnottakeintoconsiderationthenewwordingof
paragraphs16(2)oftheAct(i.e.,inorforthecountryoforigin)and30d)of
theAct(i.e.,inorforanothercountryoftheUnion).Anamendmentshould
beexpected.
AMENDMENTSOFAPPLICATIONS:RULES30-34


Applicationsfortheregistrationofatrade-markcanstillbeamended(r.30).
However,itisnowclearthatwhenatrade-markapplicationbasedonuseor
makingknown,hasbeenadvertised,itcannotbeamendedintoan
applicationforaproposedtrade-mark.
ItisnowpossiblefortheRegistrartocorrectclericalerrorsinanyinstrumentof
record,whethertheerrorisdiscoveredbytheRegistrarorarequestismade
bytheapplicant,registeredownerortrade-markagentoftheapplicantor
registeredowner.Thecertificateofcorrectionnolongerexists.
STATEMENTOFOPPOSITION:RULES35-47
ThestatementofoppositionmuststillbefiledwiththeRegistrarinduplicate(r.
38).Allcorrespondenceinrespectofanoppositionmustclearlystatethatit
relatestotheoppositionproceeding(r.35).
Acopyofallcorrespondenceinanoppositionproceedingmustbe
forwardedtotheotherpartyinvolved.Thisrequirementdoesnotapply,
however,totheinitialstatementofoppositionnordoesitapplytowritten
arguments(r.36andsection38(5)oftheAct).Everyexhibittoanaffidavitor
declarationfiledinanoppositionhastobefiledwiththeaffidavitor
declaration(r.45).
Documentsareservedeitherbyregisteredmail,or,servedpersonally.Priority
mail,messengerservicesorfacsimilearenotacceptedmeansofservice.
OnemayhowevercorrespondwiththeRegistrarbyfacsimile.Thenumberfor
theOppositionBoardis:(819)997-5092(r.3).
Formerrules40to49havebeenre-numbered38to47.Rule39pertainstothe
filingandserviceofthecounter-statementofopposition;rule41pertainsto
thefilingwiththeRegistrarandserviceontheapplicantoftheevidenceof
theopponentbywayofaffidavit,orstatutorydeclaration,orthestatement
thattheopponentdoesnotwishtosubmitevidence.
Rule42pertainstotheevidenceoftheapplicantandrule43covers
evidenceinreply.Cross-examinationsandtheadmissibilityofadditional
evidencearedealtwithatrule44.Additionalevidencemaybeadducedat
anytimeuntiladecisionisrenderedwithleaveoftheRegistrarandonsuch
termsastheRegistrardeterminestobeappropriate.Cross-examinations,
however,areonlypossiblebeforetheRegistrargivesnoticethattheparties
mayfilewrittenargument.
Hereinbelowisatableofthosestepsandrelatedrules::


Statementofoppositionr.38etss.38(1)
Counter-statementr.39etss.38(6)defaultss.38(7.2)
Evidenceoftheopponentr.41etss.38(7)defaultss.38(7.1)andr.
41(2)
Evidenceoftheapplicantr.42etss.38(7)defaultss.38(7.2)andr.
42(1)
Replyevidencer.43etss.38(7)
Requestforcross-examinationr.44(2)
Filingofthetranscriptr.44(4)
Withdrawalofaffidavitr.44(5)
Filingofwrittenargumentsr.46(2)
Requestforhearingr.46(4)
TheRegistrar’spractiseofwithdrawingevidencefromthefileforfailureto
attendacross-examinationisnowofficial(r.44(5)).Thepartywhoproceeds
withacross-examinationisresponsibleforthefilingoftranscripts,supporting
documentsandanswerstoundertakings(r.44(4)).(However,thequestion
concerningthefilingofapartofthecross-examinationorapartofthere-
examinationstillremainsunclear).
Theamendmenttoastatementofoppositionortoacounter-statementis
possiblewithleave(r.40).Moreover,whereinanoppositionproceedingany
extensionoftimeisgrantedtoaparty,rule47providesthattheRegistrarmay
thereaftergrantareasonableextensionoftimetotheotherpartyforthe
takingofanysubsequentstep.
TRANSFER:RULES48-50
TheRegistrarnolongerrequirestheoriginalinstrumentoftransferoracertified
copytherefor,rather,evidenceofthetransferaloneisnowsufficient(r.48);
photocopiesorfacsimilesareaccepted.
Thepartialtransferofatrade-markthatisregisteredoristheobjectofan
applicationforregistrationcanberecognizedbytheRegistrar.Ifitconcerns
anapplicationforregistration(r.49),theRegistrarmayrecognizethetransfer;
eachownermustfileanamendmentofthatapplicationrestrictedtothose
waresorservicesforuseinrespectofwhichthepersonownsthetrade-mark.
Eachsaidamendedapplicationwillbeconsideredasacontinuationofthe
originalapplicationforthepurposesofpreservingthebenefitofthedateof
filingoftheoriginalapplication,buteachamendedapplicationwillotherwise
betreatedinsubsequentproceedingsasaseparateapplication.Ifthe
transferpertainstoatrade-markthatisalreadyregistered(r.50),eachowner
isdeemedtobeaseparateregisteredowner,andforthepurposesof


sections43to46oftheAct,isdeemedtohaveaseparateregistrationofthe
trade-mark.
REGISTER:RULES51-52
ThekindofinformationthattheRegistrarmustkeepontheregisteroftrade-
markshasbeenrevisedinordertotakeintoconsiderationtheamendments
totheAct.
OBJECTIONTOANINDICATIONOFORIGIN:RULES53-61
Section11.13oftheActprovidesthataninterestedpersonmayfilea
statementofobjectionwithinthreemonthsafterthepublicationinthe
CanadaGazetteofastatementbytheMinisterinrespectofageographical
indication.Thenewrules,concerningobjectionproceedingsaresimilarto
thoseforoppositionproceedings.
Hereinbelowisatableofthosestepsandrelatedrules::
Statementofoppositionss.11.13(1)
Counter-statementss.11.13(4)defaultss.11.13(4)infine
Evidenceoftheopponentss.11.13(5)andr.55(1)defaultss.11.13(6)etr.55(2)
Evidenceoftheauthorityss.11.13(5)andr.56
Replyevidencess.11.13(5)andr.57
Requestforcross-examinationss.11.13(5)andr.58(2)
Filingofthetranscriptr.58(4)
Withdrawalofevidencer.58(5)
Filingofwrittenargumentsr.60(3)
Requestforhearingr.60(4)
Theserviceofproceedingsandevidencetheretoareeffectedbyregistered
mailorbypersonalservice(r.53).Thepersonobjectingmustfilethe
statementofobjectionwiththeRegistrarandserveitontheresponsible
authority(subsection11.13(1)oftheAct).Anamendmentofastatementof
objectionorcounter-statementispossiblewithleavefromtheRegistrar(r.54).
Whereinanobjectionproceedinganyextensionoftimeisgrantedtoa
party,theRegistrarmaythereaftergrantareasonableextensionoftimeto
theotherpartyforthetakingofanysubsequentstep(r.61).Moreover,
additionalevidencemaybeadducedwhereleaveisgrantedbythe
Registrar(r.58(1)).


However,thesolereasonforanobjectionisthattheindicationisnota
geographicalindication(subsection11.13(2)oftheAct).
TRADE-MARKS:SUGGESTEDFORMS
Paragraph65b)oftheActpermitstheGovernorinCounciltomake
regulationsforcarryingintoeffectthepurposesandprovisionsofthisAct,
namelyontheformofapplicationstotheRegistrar.Invirtueofrule15ofthe
previousTrade-MarksRegulations,onehadtousetheformsmentionedin
scheduleIIofthoseregulations.Suchformsarenolongermentionedinthe
Trade-MarksRegulations(1996).However,rule14oftheseregulations
foreseesthattheRegistrarmaypublishformsintheTrade-MarksJournal.
Infact,inthe1996.05.29editionoftheTrade-MarksJournal(vol.43,No2170,
p.152),theRegistrardidpublishsuggestedforms.Thesearenearlythesame
asthosementionedinthescheduleIIofthepreviousregulations.
Itisofinteresttorememberthatsection32oftheInterpretationActR.S.C.
1985,c.I-21istotheeffectthatonceaformisprescribed,variationsthatdo
notmodifythesubstancenorareofthetypetoinduceerror,donot
invalidatetheformused:seeHoudev.CommissiondesEcolesCatholiques
duQuébec(1977),[1978]1S.C.R.937DicksonJ.atpage944.Inanycase,the
noncompulsorycharacteroftheformsproposedbytheRegistraris
recognizedinhispracticenotice.

PARTIII-AMENDMENTSTOTHECANADIANPATENTACT
ANDPATENTRULES

by
GarabedNahabedian

TheCanadianPatentActandPatentRuleshavebeenamendedandthe
newamendmentshavecomeintoforceonOctober1st,1996.
Herearethemainpointswhichmightbeofinterestinthepreparation,filing
andtheprosecutionofapatentapplicationinCanadaafterOctober1st,
1996.
FILINGREQUIREMENT(novelty)


The”firsttofile”systemwhichCanadahadadoptedonOctober1st,1989
alongwiththe”graceperiod”ofone(1)yearcontinue.The”graceperiod”
providestoaninventortheopportunityoffilinganapplicationinCanada
eveniftheinventionhasbeendisclosedbyhimselforbyapersonwhohas
obtainedknowledge,directlyorindirectly,fromhiminsuchamannerthat
theinventionhadbecomeavailabletothepublicinCanadaorelsewhere.
TherequirementthatanapplicationbefiledinCanadabeforeissue
ofa
patenttotheinventororhislegalrepresentativeforthesameinventioninany
othercountryisrepealed
.Therefore,ifthe”graceperiod”andtheother
requirementsoftheCanadianPatentActarerespected,anapplicantcan
validlyfileapatentapplicationinCanadaeventhoughapatenthasalready
issuedonthesameinventioninanothercountryoftheworld.
CONVENTIONDATE(priority)
IfarequestforpriorityisnotmadewhenfilinganapplicationinCanada,it
hastobemadebeforetheexpiryofaperiodoffour(4)monthsfromthefiling
dateoftheapplicationinCanada.Theapplicantshouldsubmittothe
CanadianPatentOffice,withinthisperiodoffour(4)months,thedate
and
thecountry
ofeachpriorityapplication.Thenumberofeachpriority
applicationshouldbesubmittedtotheCanadianPatentOfficebeforethe
expiryofthelaterofafour(4)monthperiodafterthefilingdateofthe
applicationinCanadaandatwelve(12)monthperiodafterthedateoffiling
ofeachpriorityapplication.
Afterthisperiod,therewillbe
nopossibilityofclaimingaprioritydate.
Formerly,suchperiodwassix(6)months.
REQUESTFOREXAMINATION
Arequestforexaminationshouldbefiledbeforetheexpiryofaperiodoffive
(5)yearsafterthefilingofanapplicationinCanada.Formerly,suchperiod
wasseven(7)years.
Herearesomepracticalexampleshowthisnewruleapplies.
ForanapplicationfiledinCanadaafterOctober1st,1996
,therequestfor
examinationshouldbefiledwithinaperiodoffive(5)years
fromthedateof
filingoftheapplicationattheCanadianPatentOffice.


ForanapplicationfiledinCanadabeforeOctober1st,1996,therequestfor
examinationshouldbefiledwithinaperiodofseven(7)years
fromthedate
offilingoftheapplicationattheCanadianPatentOffice.
ForaPCTnationalphaseapplicationinCanada,therequestforexamination
shouldbefiledwithinaperiodofseven(7)years
fromtheinternationalfiling
dateofthePCTapplication,ifsuchinternationalfilingdateisbeforeOctober
1st,1996,andwithinaperiodoffive(5)yearsfromtheinternationalfilingdate
ofthePCTapplicationifsuchinternationalfilingdateisafterOctober1st,
1996.
APCTinternationalfilingdateisconsideredtobeaCanadianfilingdateif
thenationalphaseinCanadaisfiled.
Iftherequestforexaminationisnotfiledinduetime,namelywithinoneofthe
above-mentionedperiods,theapplicationbecomesabandoned.Itis
possibletohaveitreinstatedwithinaperiodofone(1)yearfromthedateof
theabandonment.Theone(1)yearperiodforreinstatementisretroactive

andappliesaswelltoapplicationsabandonedundertheformerActand
RulesastoapplicationsabandonedundertheamendedActandRulesin
forceonOctober1st,1996.Forexample,anapplicationfiledinCanadaon
October1st,1989,isconsideredtohavebeenabandonediftherequestfor
examinationwasnotfiledthereinonOctober1st,1996.Itcanbereinstated
withinaperiodofone(1)yearfromthedateofabandonment,namelyupto
October1st,1997.UndertheformerActandRules,itcouldhavebeen
reinstatedwithinaperiodofonlysix(6)monthsfromthedateof
abandonment,namelyuptoApril1st,1997.
OBVIOUSNESS
Thesubject-matterdefinedbyaclaiminanapplicationforapatentin
Canadamustnothavebeenobvioustoapersonskilledintheartorscience
towhichtheinventionpertainsbeforethe”claimdate”ofanapplication.This
newsectioninthePatentActintroducesarequirementofnon-obviousness
whichwasnotformerlyspecificallyfoundintheAct.
The”claimdate”isdefinedasbeingthedateoffilingofanapplicationin
Canadaortheprioritydate,ifany.
MAINTENANCEFEES(annuities)


ForanypatentapplicationfiledafterOctober1st,1989,maintenancefees
(annuities)aretobepaidinordertomaintainanapplicationineffectora
patentinforce.
APPLICATIONS
Ifthemaintenancefee(annuity)isnotpaidontimeinanapplication,the
latterbecomesabandoned.Itispossibletohaveitreinstatedwithinaperiod
ofone(1)yearfromthedateoftheabandonment.Theone(1)yearperiod
forreinstatementisretroactiveandappliesaswelltoapplications
abandonedundertheformerActandRulesastothoseabandonedunder
thenewamendedActandRulesinforceonOctober1st,1996.
Example:
AnapplicationabandonedonApril1st,1996byfailuretopaythe
maintenancefee(annuity)thereincanbereinstatedwithinone(1)yearof
thedateofabandonment,namelyuptoApril1st,1997.Afterthatdatethe
applicationbecomesirrevocablyabandoned.UndertheformerActand
Rules,itcouldhavebeenreinstatedwithinaperiodofonlysix(6)monthsof
thedateofabandonment,namelyuptoOctober1st,1996.
PATENTS
Ifthemaintenancefee(annuity)isnotpaidontimeinapatent,thereisa
“graceperiod”ofone(1)yearforpayingitalongwithanadditionalfeefor
latepayment.Theone-year(1)”graceperiod”forlatepaymentisretroactive

andappliesaswelltopatentsfallingundertheformerActandRulesasthose
whichareduetobegrantedundertheamendedActandRules.Theone-
year(1)”graceperiod”appliedtoapatentcorrespondstotheone-year(1)
periodforreinstatinganapplication.
Example:
AmaintenancefeewhichwasdueinapatentonApril1st,1996andwhich
hasnotbeenpaidontimecouldbepaidwithina”graceperiod”ofone-year
(1)endingonApril1st,1997,accompaniedbyanadditionalfeeforlate
payment.Afterthatdate,thepatentirrevocablylapsesandcannotbe
revived.UndertheformerActandRules,itwaspossibletopaythe
maintenancefee,alongwiththeadditionalfee,onlywithinaperiodofsix(6)
monthsfromthedateonwhichthemaintenancefeewasdue,namelyupto
October1st,1996.


Thereisthepossibilityofpayingtogetherandinadvanceseveral
maintenancefees(annuities).
RECORDALOFTRANSFER(assignment,licence)ANDOFCHANGEOFNAME
Fortherecordalofanassignment,alicenceorachangeofname,itisnow
possibletosubmitcopies
ofdocumentsattestingofsuchtransferorchange
unlessforsomeotherreasonstheCanadianPatentOfficerequestfurther
officialproofs.Formerly,originalsorcertifiedcopiesofdocumentswere
necessary.
NUCLEOTIDESORAMINOACIDS
Whereanapplicationdescribesanucleotideoranaminoacidsequence,
thedescriptionshouldcontaininrespectofthesequence,asequencelisting
onaseparatesheetofthedescriptionentitled”Sequencelisting”.Each
sequenceshouldbeestablishedaccordingtosymbolsandamodeof
presentationrecognizedattheinternationallevelandsetforthintheRules.
Furthermore,theapplicantshouldfurnishsequencelistingsonacomputer-
readableformdisketteofthePATENTINtype.Theobjectofthesequence
listingincomputer-readableformdisketteistofacilitatethesearchthatthe
PatentOfficemighthavetocarryoutconcerninganyinformationonthe
nucleotidesoraminoacidsequences.
BIOLOGICALMATTER
Whenanapplicationreferstoadepositofbiologicalmaterial,theapplicant
mayinordertocompletethedescriptionoftheinventionintheapplication,
submitwithaninternationaldepositaryauthorityonorbeforethefilingdate
oftheapplicationadepositofthebiologicalmaterial.Theapplicantshould
informtheCommissionerofthenameoftheinternationaldepositary
authority,thedateoftheoriginaldepositandtheaccessionnumbergivenby
theinternationaldepositoryauthoritytothedeposit,beforetheapplicationis
opentopublicinspection.
Anapplicationfiledbeforethecomingintoforceofthepresentamended
ActandRulescantakeadvantageoftheprovisionsofthepresentamended
Rulesconcerninganydepositofbiologicalmaterial.Thismeansthatthe
amendedRulesareretroactive
forformerapplicationsandpatentsunder
specifiedconditions.


SMALLENTITYDEFINITION
TheSmallEntityprovisionshavebeenamended.IntheamendedRules,a
“SmallEntity”inrespectofaninventionmeans:
anEntitythatemploysfifty(50)orfeweremployeesorthatisaUniversity,but
doesnotincludeanEntitythat
:
a)hastransferredorlicensed,orisunderacontractualorotherlegal
obligationtotransferorlicense,anyrightintheinventiontoanentity,
otherthanaUniversity,thatemploysmorethanfifty(50)employees,or
b)hastransferredorlicensed,orisunderacontractualorotherlegal
obligationtotransferorlicence,anyrightintheinventiontoanentity
thatemploys50orfeweremployeesorthatisaUniversity,andhas
knowledgeofanysubsequenttransferorlicenceof,orofanysubsisting
contractualorotherlegalobligationtotransferorlicence,anyrightin
theinventiontoanentity,otherthanauniversity,thatemploysmore
than50employees.
AccordingtothenewRules,anapplicantorpatenteecanqualifyasaSmall
Entityifitsatisfiestherequirementssetforthabove.Inparticular,aUniversity
cannowqualifyasaSmallEntityifitsatisfiestheaboverequirements.
ThenotionofSmallEntityis”dynamic”andnot”static”.Thismeansthatan
applicantorpatenteecanchangeitsstatusfromtimetotime.
TheSmallEntityprovisionshavecomeintoforceinCanadaonJuly1st,1985
andtillnowtheyhavenotbeeninterpretedbyaCanadiantribunalandno
courtdecisionhasbeenrenderedconcerningthenon-observanceofthe
correctstatusofanapplicantorpatentee.Itisthereforedifficulttoanticipate
thedecisionofaCanadiantribunalagainstapatentforwhichan
applicationwasfiledclaimingthestatusofSmallEntity,despitethefactthat
theapplicantwasnotentitledtoclaimsuchstatus.
ItishighlyrecommendabletofurnishtotheCanadianPatentOfficethe
correctstatusofanapplicantorpatenteeinordertoavoidanyeventual
unfavorableCourtdecisionifthemattergoesbeforeaCanadiantribunal.
Furthermore,ifduringthependencyofanapplicationorthelifeofapatent
thestatusofanapplicantorpatenteechangestobecomea”LargeEntity”,it
ishighlyadvisabletoinformtheCanadianPatentOfficeofthisfactandto
paythenecessaryfeesaccordingly.


LIMITATIONPERIOD
Noremedymaynowbeawardedforanactofinfringementcommitted
morethansix(6)yearsbeforethecommencementoftheactionfor
infringement.
SIZEANDFORMOFSHEETS
ThesizeandtheformofthesheetsofanapplicationfiledattheCanadian
PatentOfficeshouldrespectspecificrequirementssetforthbytheCanadian
PatentOffice.Themainelementsoftheserequirementsarethefollowing:
1.-Margins:
Recommended
Minimum
Top:2cm(app.7/8in.)2.5cm(1in.)
Leftside:2.5cm(app.1in.)3cm(11/4in.)
Rightside:2cm(app.7/8in.)2.5cm(1in.)
Bottom:2cm(app.7/8in.)2.5cm(1in.)
Itisrecommendabletoleaveslightlymoremarginsthantherequired
minimuminordertotakeintoconsiderationthefactthatwhencopiesare
madesomeportionsofthemarginsare”takenoff”.
2.-Thetypingshouldpreferablybemadewithdoublespacedlines

(theminimumrequiredis11/2lines).
3.-Thetextshouldbetypedwithcharactersthecapitallettersof
whicharenotlessthan0.21cmhigh.Donottypemorethan12characters
perinchor21/2cm.
4.-Thelinesofeachpageofthedescriptionandoftheclaimsmay
benumberedintheleftmargin.Werecommendyoutonumberthemevery
fifth(5th)ortenth(10th)line.
5.-Thepagesofthedescriptionandtheclaimsshallbenumbered
consecutively.Thepagenumbersshouldbecentredatthetoporbottomof
asheetbutshouldnotbeplacedinthemargins.


6.-Thetitleoftheinventionmust
appearonthefirstpageofthe
description,whilerespectingtherequiredmargin,andshouldpreferablyalso
appearonthepagecontainingtheabstract.
ForPCTapplications,theCanadianPatentOfficeconsidersthattheabove
requirementsarealreadysatisfiedattheinternationallevel.



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