Straight talk on business, IP, and estate law.
Practical notes from our lawyers on the questions clients ask most.
Don’t Overlook the Impact of Boilerplate Clauses in Your Contract
Standard clauses, also known as “boilerplate” provisions, are general contract provisions that may be found in various agreements. These standard clauses may increase efficiency, reduce time and money spent on drafting, and ensure consistency across agreements. However, sometimes standard clauses are included into contracts without due consideration of their legal effects. It is imperative that
By Perpinder Patrola
Wrongful Dismissal Series: Part 1 – “How to (Really) Tell the Difference Between Getting Fired and Quitting Your Job”
This will be a 4-part article series that points out crucial aspects of identifying when an employee has been wrongfully dismissed. Our goal is to teach you to recognize when the termination of your employment is unjust and assist you in fully understanding your employee rights.
By Perpinder Patrola
Brand Protection: Beyond Trademarking
“Your brand is the single most important investment you can make in your business” – Steve Forbes A strong brand is the backbone of any successful company. It shapes and dictates everything around the business – company values, vision and direction, operation and sales processes, marketing
By Perpinder Patrola
Should I Form a Holding Company For My Business?
According to the Key Small Business Statistics report by industry Canada, small businesses with 1-4 employees have a 60.5% survival rate and 5-19 employees have a 66.4 % survival rate in the first 5 years of operation. For those that continue to operate, part of their
By Perpinder Patrola
Is Your Brand “Distinctive” Enough to be Trademarked?
In the WIPO IP Facts and Figures 2021 report, there were over 64.4 million active trademark registrations around the world. The truth is, however, a percentage of these trademark applications will not be eligible for registration approval. Why? A major reason for failure of a trademark
By Perpinder Patrola
5 Startup Scenarios That Scream “Get a Trademark NOW!”
According to the Small Business Profile 2018 by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology of BC, there has been an increase of 35,100 new small businesses in BC from 2014-2017. With the rapid growth of co-working spaces across the province, it is evident that BC is a hotbed for
By Perpinder Patrola
Beginners Guide: How to Perform a Trademark Search in Canada
So, you’ve just finalized your brand’s name and logo designs – but have you ensured they won’t clash with any existing trademarks in Canada? In the dynamic world of intellectual property, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough trademark search before proceeding further. As revealed by the Canadian
By Perpinder Patrola
Is Your Brand Prepared For Canada’s New Trademark Laws?
Starting June 17, 2019, the Canada Trade-marks Act will get a significant makeover that will impact the intellectual property assets of every startup, entrepreneur, and small business in BC. These amendments aim to streamline the Canadian trademark process and improve system infrastructure, to better align with
By Perpinder Patrola
The Dangers of Using Online Legal Templates
With a few simple keystrokes in a Google search, new entrepreneurs and startups can gain access to a wealth of resources, tools and information online regarding new business matters. It’s understandable that many new entrepreneurs and startups will be budget-conscious with the mindset of minimizing startup
By Perpinder PatrolaReady to move at startup speed?
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