Program

Gold Sponsor: 

“Fair” or Foul? Copyright Battles

How have Courts and policymakers approached balancing copyrights and the need to access and use copyright protected works to: train AI; repair products and/or make programs, devices and components interoperable; and serve specific institutional and intermediate functions for user rights, with a fairness analysis and/or more specific limitations and exceptions? Learn how these issues are currently treated in Canada and in the U.S. and explore future challenges courts and policymakers must address in the face of rapid technological change. 

Bita Amani Queen’s University (Kingston)
Jeffrey R. Cadwell Dorsey & Whitney LLP (Minneapolis)
Jay Kerr-Wilson Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (Ottawa)
Moderator: Catherine Lovrics Marks & Clerk Canada (Toronto)

Patent Office Practice Update

Jeffrey Orser Senior Director, Patent Branch, CIPO (Gatineau)
Krista Rooney Program Manager – Patent Policy, CIPO (Gatineau)
Moderator: Dominique Lambert Smart & Biggar LP (Montréal) / Chair, IPIC Patent Committee 

Trademarks Office Practice Update

Rita Davie Acting Director, Examination, Trademarks and Industrial Designs Branch, CIPO (Gatineau)
Iyana Goyette Deputy Director, Policy and Legislation, Trademarks and Industrial Designs Branch, CIPO (Gatineau)
Moderator: Chris Hale Chris Hale IP Law (Toronto) / Chair, IPIC Trademark Committee 

Gold Sponsor:
The following IP Roundtables qualify for one Substantive hour:

■   Lunch with Officials from the Patent Office
■   Lunch with Officials from the Trademarks Office
■   Best Practices in Cross-Border IP Litigation
■   AI in the Courts
■   Combatting Bad Faith Trademark Applications
■   Patentable Subject Matter: What’s Next?

Pre-registration required.

IPIC Feud! Novel & Non-Obvious v. Creative & Original

Watch the face off between Team ´Novel & Non-Obvious’ led by Nathaniel Lipkus and Team ‘Creative & Original’ led by Jason Hynes as they compete to provide the most popular answers to intriguing IP law questions! Who will win the IPIC FEUD? Don’t miss this exciting session!

Players:
Christian Bolduc Smart & Biggar LLP (Montréal)
Erin Finlay Stohn Hay Cafazzo Heim Finlay LLP (Toronto)
Cory Furman Furman IP (Regina)
Jason Hynes Smart & Biggar LLP (Waterloo)
Nathaniel Lipkus Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (Toronto)
Joanne Nardi Joanne Nardi IP Consulting Services (Toronto)
Host:
Colleen Stanley Stanley IP Law (Toronto)
Survey Operator:
Sabrina Salituro Lomic Law (Toronto)

From Courtroom to Practice: A Review of Top IP Cases

Stay current with this annual update on leading cases in patent, trademark, and copyright law. Examine the most impactful and interesting IP decisions from the past year, as experienced lawyers and agents break down key rulings. Gain practical insights tailored for litigators, agents, and in-house counsel, and apply lessons learned to real-world IP challenges across all practice areas.

Amélie Béliveau Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (Montréal)
Mat Brechtel Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (Vancouver)
Alan Macek DLA Piper (Toronto)
Moderator: Tamara Ramsey Dale & Lessmann (Toronto)

Barry Fong Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (Ottawa) / Chair, Conference Committee
 

Gold Sponsor: 

Join us for IPIC2025’s grand finale—our signature closing Gala. This elegant evening brings together colleagues and friends to celebrate the achievements of the intellectual property community. Enjoy a night of fine dining, meaningful connections, and well-deserved recognition during IPIC’s prestigious Awards Ceremony.

Pre-registration required | Limited seating | Dress code: black tie recommended

Gold Sponsor: 

We invite you to linger a little longer and savour a sweet conclusion to IPIC2025. Enjoy a delectable assortment of desserts, coffee, and after-dinner drinks while connecting with colleagues and celebrating the spirit of the IP community. It’s the perfect ending to a memorable evening and Annual Conference—where conversations continue, and sweet moments are shared.

Strut Your Stuff: Oral Advocacy Skills for IP Practitioners

This advocacy skills workshop will give participants an opportunity to practice their oral advocacy skills and get constructive feedback from senior practitioners and a judge. Get experience on your feet to hone your skills. Participants will work with a case study and will come prepared to deliver a small portion of oral argument on a mock TMOB matter. Whether you are a beginner or want to refine your skills, you will receive valuable feedback from our workshop leaders. Though the case file will be trademark-based, the advocacy skills you will learn are universal.

Melissa Dimilta Bennett Jones LLP (Toronto)
Hon. Janet Fuhrer Federal Court (Ottawa)
Andrew Shaughnessy Torys LLP (Toronto)

Pre-registration required | Limited seating
Additional fee – Member: $199 + HST / Non Member: $299 + HST

Patent Drafting in the Age of AI – Strategies for Protecting Interdisciplinary Inventions

As AI transforms innovation, more inventions now span multiple disciplines—from drug discovery and genetic analysis to manufacturing optimization, agriculture, and vehicle design. Traditionally non-digital inventions increasingly involve AI components or computer implementation, raising new challenges for patent protection. This interactive workshop will explore practical strategies for drafting and prosecuting patent applications in this evolving landscape. Topics will include patentable subject matter, claim drafting approaches for interdisciplinary inventions, best practices for coordinating drafting and prosecution and a brief look at emerging AI tools to support patent drafting.

Matt Powell Dickinson Wright LLP (Toronto)
Jennifer Marles Viridant IP (Vancouver)

Pre-registration required | Limited seating
Additional fee – Member: $199 + HST / Non Member: $299 + HST

Gold Sponsor:  

Join us for this year’s Welcome Reception—a perfect opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and spark new conversations with members of the IP community. This gathering sets the stage for a collaborative and memorable Annual Conference.

Pre-registration required | Dress code: business casual

Jason Hynes Smart & Biggar LP (Waterloo) / IPIC President
Tamara Ramsey Dale & Lessmann LLP (Toronto) / Chair, IPIC Conference Committee
 

Michele Romanow | Dragon on CBC’s Dragon’s Den and co-founder of Clearco

Gold Sponsor:  

Get it Right the First Time: Tips from the Patent Appeal Board, the Trademarks Opposition Board and the Federal Court

The Chairs of the Trademarks Opposition Board and the Patent Appeal Board will offer practical insights into what members of these Boards look for in evidence, written submissions and advocacy. Federal Court judges will join the discussion to explore appeals from these decisions and judicial reviews of other administrative decisions made by CIPO. Whether you are an agent or a litigator, this discussion will equip you with concrete strategies to put your best foot forward and get it right the first time.

Tara Derickx Chair, Patent Appeal Board (CIPO)
Neena Kushwaha Chair, Trademarks Opposition Board (CIPO)
Hon. Nicholas McHaffie Federal Court (Ottawa)
Hon. Christine Pallotta Federal Court (Ottawa)
Moderator: Dino Clarizio Markwell Clarizio LLP (Toronto)

Jurisdiction and Territoriality of IP Rights and Remedies in Canada

In today’s digital world, business often crosses borders, but IP rights still exist at the national level. What are the territorial limits of Canadian copyright, trademarks, and patents? Can your client sue or be sued in Canada? If so, what relief can Canadian courts grant? Do federal and provincial superior courts treat these issues similarly? Hear from IP practitioners about recent cases that tackle these issues.

Fortunat Nadima ROBIC LLP (Montréal)
Alexandra Peterson Torys LLP (Toronto)
Sangeetha Punniyamoorthy DLA Piper (Toronto)
Moderator: Andrew Moeser Lenczner Slaght LLP (Toronto)

To be confirmed

SCC decision in Pharmascience v Janssen – title TBC

To be confirmed

Andrew Skodyn Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP (Toronto)
Bradley White Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (Ottawa)
Amy Grenon Tyr LLP (Toronto)
Moderator: Zarya Cynader Gilbert’s LLP (Toronto)

Norval Morrisseau Art Frauds: – title TBC

To be confirmed.

Jonathan Sommer CEO, Art Experts Canada Inc. (Toronto)
Michelle LaVallee Director, Indigenous Ways and Decolonization, National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa)
Moderator: Colleen Stanley Stanley IP Law (Toronto)

Patents Without Borders: Comparative Insights about International Patent Law

Patent rights holders often operate in multiple jurisdictions. But patent law is territorial, with different regulatory regimes and jurisprudence applying around the world. The panel will explore recent developments in different jurisdictions to help Canadian patent practitioners better advise Canadian clients on their global strategy and global clients on their Canadian strategy.

Simon Wright Schlich (Littlehampton, UK)
Sylvan Browne FB Rice (Melbourne, Australia)
Moderator: Yael Bienenstock Torys LLP (Toronto)

Using litigation and other tools to protect your brand – title TBC

To be confirmed

Selena Kim Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP (Toronto)
Jaime Watt Chairman and Founder, Navigator Ltd. (Toronto)
Devon Largio General Counsel, McDonald’s Canada (Toronto)
Moderator: May Cheng Dipchand LLP (Toronto)

After a day packed with insights and inspiration, join us for our Centennial Networking Mixer—where the vibes are relaxed, the conversations flow easily, and the only agenda is great company. Whether you’re here to talk shop or just chill, this is your moment to mix, mingle, and make it memorable!
 

CIPO Update

Konstantinos Georgaras Patent Commissioner, Registrar of Trademarks and CEO (CIPO)
Moderator: Tamara Ramsey Dale & Lessmann LLP (Toronto)

KEYNOTE: Nadia Theodore Canadian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, UNCTAD, ITC and WIPO

Nadia Theodore Canadian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, UNCTAD, ITC and WIPO (Geneva)
Moderator: TBC TBC

Innovation Underdogs and Patent Powerhouses: Global Lessons for Canada’s Evolving Economy

Canada’s economy is at a crossroads, undergoing a generational shift amid a broader global transformation. This panel spotlights the critical role of innovation and patents in building a resilient, diversified economy. Drawing on the lessons of global successes (and failures), panellists will consider legal, policy, trade, and cultural shifts needed to position Canada as a leader in innovation and jump start strong and sustainable economic growth.

Jeremy de Beer Canada Research Chair in Innovation and Intellectual Property Law, University of Ottawa
Kayleigh Nauman North American Intellectual Property Attaché and Policy Advisor, British Embassy (Washington)
Moderator: Dan Hnatchuk Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (Ottawa)