Offer of services
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is a special operating agency from Innovation Science and Economic Develoment (ISED). Intellectual property (IP) in instumental in ensuring enterprises growth, while helping them increase their competitiveness on local and foreign markets. And same as with other ownership rights, IP offers legal rights.
CIPO’s areas of activity include trademarks, patents, copyrights, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies. CIPO‘s mandate is to deliver high quality and timely IP services to customers, and to increase awareness, knowledge and effective use of IP by Canadians.
To contribute to Canada’s innovation and economic success by:
- Providing greater certainty in the marketplace through high-quality and timely IP rights;
- Fostering and supporting invention and creativity through knowledge sharing;
- Raising awareness to encourage innovators to better exploit IP;
- Helping business compete globally through international cooperation and the promotion of Canada’s IP interests; and,
- Administering Canada’s IP system and office efficiently and effectively.
Programs and services
CIPO’s Business Services Branch has launched its IP awareness and education program in order to increase understanding and strategic use of IP amongst Canadian inventors and entrepreneurs.
CIPO can help business to:
- better understand IP and its value
- define how to acquire IP rights
- provide information on how to develop an IP strategy and how to exploit IP rights
- better manage IP information
- help organise IP-related events for a specific sector
Client service center
CIPO’s Client Service Centre (CSC) is the central point of contact for CIPO’s general enquiries. It plays a critical role in disseminating intellectual property (IP) information to clients and to the public. Information agents will assist clients in:
- better understand the different IP rights (reach, length, costs)
- navigate in CIPO’s various databases
- file their application (on-line or by mail)
- find professional resources, such as IP agents and assistance programs for SMEs
You may contact the Information agents either par phone, by email or in person.
Opening hours: We are open Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).
To reach us by phone:
- Toll-free from anywhere in Canada and the United States: 1-866-997-1936
- international calls only: 1-819-934-0544
- TTY: 1-866-442-2476 (We cannot receive voice calls on this line.)
You can send us your questions and general enquiries online or by email.
Intellectual property advisors – Outreach program
CIPO’s outreach program, delivered by its Intellectual Property Advisors (IPAs), aims at raising awareness and knowledge and effective use of the IP system.
IPAs also inform clients on the strategic value of IP, by conducting workshops, seminars and webinars on IP, participating in professional events, and will join regional networks to increase their reach towards innovators et creators.
You may contact your regional IPA either by phone, email or in person.
Calendar of events
Stay tuned about out free seminars and webinars by consulting our Calendar of events.
** Note that you have the possibility to organise a training session for yourself, your colleagues, your clients, your business partners and business network by contacting your regional advisor.
Target customers
CIPO's targeted clients are:
- creators / artists
- entrepreneurs
- innovators
- inventors
- professors
- researchers
- students
- And anyone wishing to learn about the Canadian IP system.
