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.

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

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

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

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

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

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,

Prospectus exemption proposed for TSX Venture Exchange issuers

With the exception of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, securities regulatory authorities in other Canadian jurisdictions have published a draft prospectus exemption for comment. The exemption would make it easier – and less costly – for issuers listed on the TSX Venture Exchange to distribute securities

“What’s In A Name?…

…that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Sure, but if you’re selling roses – or anything else for that matter – the name of your business or brand does matter. What’s the value of a McDonald’s Restaurant franchise, if