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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do I Reeeally Need a Shareholders’ Agreement?

Hello everyone, we’re going to have a quick chat with you about shareholders’ agreements. When we’re looking to start up a new business, a new corporation, and there’s more than one partner involved or more than one shareholder involved, it is incredibly important for you to

Dear Accountants, Please STOP Incorporating Companies

Hello everyone, this is a message for my fellow professionals, the Chartered Accountants of British Columbia. Specifically, those accountants who continue to incorporate companies on behalf of their clients, which is in breach of their code of professional conduct and is illegal to boot. Now I’ve