In a decision by Pallotta J., the Federal Court allowed an appeal of the Registrar’s decision to expunge a trademark registration owned by The Little Brown Box Pizza, LLC (“Owner”), but amended it by deleting several services, as the Owner had not shown any use or special circumstances that excused their non-use. The Little Brown […]
The process of litigating trademark disputes in Canada bears many similarities to other common law jurisdictions, in particular the United States. However, there are some unique aspects of Canadian procedure that IP practitioners in other jurisdictions should know. This short article provides a brief overview of how trademark disputes are litigated in Canada. 1. Trademark
Litigating Trademark Disputes in Canada – What IP Practitioners Should Know Read More »
On September 27, 2024, the Federal Court of Appeal (“FCA”) affirmed that four patents owned by AngelCare Canada (“AngelCare”) are valid and were infringed by the manufacture and sale of diaper pail cassettes by Munchkin Baby Canada Inc. (“Munchkin Canada”) and its US parent, Munchkin, Inc. (“Munchkin USA”). The decision raises important issues relating to
On September 13, 2024, the Federal Court (per Manson J.) held that four patents owned by ProSlide Technology Inc. (“ProSlide”) were invalid, and that three of those patents were not infringed by the manufacture of waterslide component parts in Canada by WhiteWater West Industries, Ltd. (“WhiteWater”). The case turned largely on the facts but raised
On August 8, 2024, the Federal Court (per Furlanetto J.) held that a patent directed to nintedanib for use in the prevention or treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (“IPF”) was valid and infringed, while a patent directed to formulations of nintedanib was not infringed. Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. et al v. Jamp Pharma Corporation, 2024
Co-authored by Emily Papsin The Federal Court recently held (per McHaffie J.) that the impugned claims of two related patents for an additive manufacturing process (3D printing) were invalid and not infringed because an essential element (“depletion layer”) was ambiguous. Tekna Plasma Systems Inc. v. AP&C Advanced Powders & Coatings Inc., 2024 FC 871 Background
Federal Court Makes Rare Holding that Patent Claims are Invalid for Ambiguity Read More »
The Federal Court (Tsimberis J.) recently held that the Applicant, F.I.A.L. Finanziaria Industrie Alto Lario, S.P.A. (“Applicant” or “Fial”) is entitled to register the trademark, GALPERTI pursuant to ss. 38(2)(c) and 16(1)(a) of the Trademarks Act (the “Act”) in an appeal of a decision of the Trademarks Opposition Board (“Board”) that had refused Fial’s application
Court Overturns TMOB Decision Based on New Evidence of Earlier and Continuous Use Read More »
On May 31, 2024, the Federal Court (Tsimberis J.) granted an application to correct the inventorship of an issued patent. The decision provides a clear explanation of the relevant legal principles (Patent Act, s. 52) and the type of evidence that must be led to obtain relief. Smith Sport Optics, Inc. v. Canada (Commissioner of
Federal Court Grants an Application to Add Inventors and an Owner to an Issued Patent Read More »
This was a motion for summary trial in a passing off and expungement case between competitors in the mobile video game market. The Court (per Fuhrer J.) held that summary trial was an appropriate vehicle for deciding the Plaintiff’s claims for passing off and expungement of the Defendant’s registration – and that those claims were
Court Dismisses Passing Off and Expungement Action After Summary Trial Read More »
On May 31, 2024, the Federal Court (Roy J) released its decision on the summary judgment motion brought by the Attorney General of Canada (“AGC”) on behalf of Parks Canada, in which he dismissed Blacklock’s Reporter’s (“BR”) copyright infringement action against the AGC. This matter is one of several related and contextually similar actions brought
