IPIC’s Annual Conference is the largest gathering of IP professionals in Canada and has attracted over 250 attendees from law firms, IP boutiques, industry, government and the judiciary over the past years. Offering over 15 hours of continuing education over three days, the Annual Conference also offers unmatched opportunities for networking, gaining insight into industry issues, sharing knowledge, and exploring emerging trends and challenges.
IPIC2025 promises to deliver an excellent educational program and experience in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP
Again this year, delegates have the opportunity to participate in an optional workshop on Wednesday afternoon – The Bot Stops Here: AI and the Future of IP Practice. Register early as space is limited. An additional fee is applicable.
TRIVIA NIGHT IS BACK!
Following the overwhelming popularity and fun of the 2023 Trivia Night, the Patent & Trademark Institute Educational Foundation (PTIEF) is excited to bring it back for an even bigger evening during IPIC2025!
Join us for an unforgettable night of fast-paced trivia and friendly competition. Test your knowledge through two high-energy, one-hour rounds led by a professional emcee, covering a wide range of intriguing topics — all with clever intellectual property twists that only IP aficionados will appreciate.
This community-focused event promises laughter, camaraderie, and a spirited battle for bragging rights, all while supporting a vital cause. Proceeds go directly to the PTIEF Education Fund, which works to promote diversity, inclusion, and access to educational opportunities in the field of intellectual property. An additional fee is applicable and proceeds support the PTIEF.
LIVESTREAM OPTION — PLENARY SESSIONS
Unable to attend in person? Register for IPIC’s Livestream Option and don’t miss out on an incredible lineup of plenary sessions and speakers!
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| 14:00-19:30 | REGISTRATION | |
| 15:00-17:30 | OPTIONAL WORKSHOP | The Bot Stops Here: AI and the Future of IP Practice | |
| 17:30-19:30 | WELCOME RECEPTION | |
| 07:00-17:00 | REGISTRATION | |
| 07:00-08:15 | BREAKFAST | |
| 08:30-08:40 | OPENING REMARKS | |
| 08:40-09:40 | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Sage Paul | Executive & Artistic Director, Indigenous Fashion Arts | |
| 09:40-10:00 | NETWORKING BREAK | |
| 10:00-11:00 | PLENARY | IP Funding: Cultivating Canadian Innovation and Economic Prosperity | |
| 11:00-12:00 | PLENARY | Redefining Deference: Implications for IP Professionals Speakers | |
| 12:15-13:45 | IP ROUNDTABLES AND LUNCH | Ethics/Professionalism | |
| 14:00-15:00 | BREAKOUT | Essential Elements and the Free World Trust Legacy: Where Are We Now? BREAKOUT | Protecting and Selling Image Rights (Real and Fake) |
|
| 15:00-16:00 | BREAKOUT | Dispute Finance and IP Insurance : Turning Litigation into an Asset BREAKOUT | Trademark Tactics: Navigating Bad Faith After SkyKick |
|
| 16:00-17:00 | NETWORKING MIXER | |
| 18:30-23:00 | TRIVIA NIGHT IN SUPPORT OF THE IPIC FOUNDATION | |
| 07:00-15:00 | REGISTRATION | |
| 07:00-08:15 | BREAKFAST | |
| 08:30-09:00 | PLENARY | CIPO Update | |
| 09:00-10:00 | PLENARY | College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents: Update on New Initiatives | |
| 10:00-10:15 | NETWORKING BREAK | |
| 10:15-11:15 | BREAKOUT | Rethinking Patent Law: Unresolved Challenges in Canadian Doctrine BREAKOUT | “Fair” or Foul? Copyright Battles |
|
| 11:15-12:15 | BREAKOUT | Patent Office Practice Update BREAKOUT | Trademarks Office Practice Update |
|
| 12:30-13:45 | IP ROUNDTABLES AND LUNCH | |
| 14:00-14:45 | PLENARY | IPIC Feud! Novel & Non-Obvious v. Creative & Original | |
| 14:45-15:55 | PLENARY | From Courtroom to Practice: A Review of Top IP Cases | |
| 15:55-16:00 | CLOSING REMARKS | Closing Remarks | |
| 18:30-22:30 | RECEPTION & GALA | |
| 22:30-24:00 | DESSERT RECEPTION | |
This program is eligible for Substantive Hours and contains Professionalism Hours or Ethics Hours where applicable.
| SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to) |
PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)* |
|
Law Society of Ontario  |
SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): 9 |
PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: 3 |
| Law Society of British Columbia | SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): 12 | PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: 3 |
| Law Society of Saskatchewan | SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): 12 | PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: 3 |
| Law Society of Alberta | SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): 12 | PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: 3 |
| Law Society of Manitoba | SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): 12 | PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: 3 |
| Barreau du Québec | SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): 15 | PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: N/A |
| Law Society of New Brunswick | SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): Pending | PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: N/A |
| New York State CLE Board | SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): 14 | PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: 3.5 |
| California State Bar | SUBSTANTIVE HOURS (up to): 12 | PROFESSIONALISM | ETHICS (up to)*: 3 |
*Professionalism | Ethics Hours
**The professionalism/ethics hours include up to 2 EDI hours where applicable.
Accreditation of this program in other jurisdictions will be considered if interest is expressed. Please contact Kim Arial at karial@ipic.ca.
$899
REGISTER NOW >
$899
REGISTER NOW >
Fees include day-time meals, Welcome Reception and Gala. GST not included.
The Bot Stops Here: AI and the Future of IP Practice
Wednesday, October 8 | Pre-registration required | Limited seating
Additional fee applicable: IPIC Member: $125 plus GST | Non Member: $199 plus GST
Click Here to Register
Thursday, October 9 | Pre-registration required | Limited seating
Support the IPIC Foundation and participate in an evening an unforgettable night of fast-paced trivia,
laughter and a spirited battle for bragging rights, all while supporting an important cause!
Additional fee applicable: $99 plus GST (proceeds support the Foundation)
Click Here to Register
IPIC offers a special discount of $500 to IPIC members attending in person for the following categories.
Discounts cannot be combined, only one discount code is applicable per registration.
In-house Corporate – Coupon Code: CORPORATE
** For IPIC members and non members
Practitioner in Small Practice – Coupon Code: SMALLPRACT
Eligible to individuals with a total of two (2) or fewer agents or lawyers in their firm.
Young Practitioner – Coupon Code: YOUNGPRACT
Eligible to individuals who are 35 years or younger who do not have their registration fees paid or reimbursed (fully or partially) by their firm/company.
Financial aid may be available to attend the conference.
Applicants will be considered on the basis of gross annual income and registration fees cannot be paid or reimbursed by an employer.
Inquiries: education@ipic.ca
A cancellation fee of $50 (plus GST) will apply to cancellations received in writing on or before September 8, 2025.
Refunds will not be issued after this date, but substitutions will be permitted.
Participants will have the opportunity to watch the live plenary sessions and ask questions in real time.
The following plenaries will be available for livestreaming:
■ Keynote Speaker: Sage Paul – Executive & Artistic Director, Indigenous Fashion Arts
■ IP Funding: Cultivating Canadian Innovation and Economic Prosperity
■ Redefining Deference: Implications for IP Professionals Speakers
■ CIPO Update
■ College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Update
■ From IPIC Feud! Novel & Non-Obvious v. Creative & Original
■ From Courtroom to Practice: A Review of Top IP Cases
Livestream participation is eligible for Substantive and/or Professionalism/Ethics Hours where applicable.
Member – before September 5, 2025: $499
Member – after September 5, 2025: $599
Non Member – before September 5, 2025: $759
Non Member – after September 5, 2025: $859
Click Here to Register
Room reservations must be made by September 15, 2025, in order to receive the negotiated room rate.
Guestroom rates and availability after this date will be offered on a space and rate availability basis.
Reservations should be made as soon as possible as the IPIC room block may sell out prior to September 15, 2025.
IPIC Rates
(Limited number of rooms in each category)
Guestroom – Queen (single/double occupancy): $189/night plus applicable taxes
Guestroom – King (single/double occupancy): $209/night plus applicable taxes
Riverview Guestroom – Queen (single/double occupancy): $209/night plus applicable taxes
Riverview Guestroom – King (single/double occupancy): $229/night plus applicable taxes
To book your accommodations online click here. Accommodations can also be booked by calling Marriott Reservations at 1-800-268-1133 or the Delta Hotels Bessborough at (306) 244-5521. Please identify yourself as being part of IPIC2025 or group code IB1 in order to receive the group rate.
Interested in becoming an IPIC2025 Sponsor? Please contact IPIC’s Manager of Education and Events, Kim Arial, for more information.
