Straight talk on business, IP, and estate law.
Practical notes from our lawyers on the questions clients ask most.
Wills – The Hidden Costs of Cheap DIY Wills
Today there are quite a few do it yourself will kits that claim to allow you to create a legally valid will without the help of a lawyer. These kinds of things appeal to people because they are generally quicker and cheaper than going to a lawyer.
By Perpinder Patrola
Wills – Why do You Need a Will?
Your will is arguably the most important document you will ever sign in your life. Yet many people neglect to get even a basic will until it’s too late. Consequently, their loved ones may face increased frustration, uncertainty, and cost in dealing with the estate. Their business
By Perpinder Patrola
Absurd Retraction Demand from IMAX in the name of Trademark Infringement
Absurd Retraction Demand from IMAX in the name of Trademark Infringement On June 16, 2015, Ars Technica received a retraction demand from IMAX, requesting Ars to retract a published story that contains a brief reference to IMAX. In a letter written to Ars, IMAX’s Deputy General Counsel
By Perpinder Patrola
Canada Finally Accepting Trademark Applications for Sounds
As of late March 2012, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is accepting sound-based trademark applications. This policy change follows a 20 year battle with CIPO and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios to trademark its famous lion’s roar. In the past, CIPO took the position that sounds could
By Perpinder Patrola
Confidentiality Agreements and Future Hostile Bids
Relatively recent jurisprudence in Canada and the U.S. has had an impact on how confidentiality agreements and standstill agreements are negotiated and considered, with respect to future hostile bid situations. On January 19, 2009, Justice Alexandra Hoy of the Ontario Superior Court held that RIM was
By Perpinder Patrola
Avast Ye! Pirate Joe’s Wins the First Battle
Vancouver-based Pirate Joe’s and its owner, Michael Hallat, won a trademark infringement battle against specialty U.S. grocery giant Trader Joe’s, on October 2, 2013. Judge Marsha Pechman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington dismissed the case on jurisdictional grounds. Trader Joe’s
By Perpinder Patrola
Work on the Business, Not in the Business
Entrepreneurs are generally familiar with this concept, but it’s worth repeating: if you want your business to grow, you need to delegate work to others. You should work on the business and not stay mired in the day-to-day operations. The Startup Mindset In the early
By Perpinder Patrola
Supreme Court of Canada delares Alberta privacy legislation unconstitutional
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) is unconstitutional and declared PIPA to be invalid in its entirety. The Court found that restrictions on the ability of unions to photograph and videotape workers crossing a picket line infringed the right
By Perpinder Patrola
Popular media references as evidence of trade-mark fame
The Federal Court recently found the wide-spread fame of the COHIBA trade-marks for cigars and cigarillos was sufficient to reject an application to register the trade-mark LAZARO COHIBA for rum. Tequila Cuervo (“Cuervo”) filed a trade-mark application in February of 1996, for the mark LAZARO COHIBA,
By Perpinder PatrolaReady to move at startup speed?
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