Canadian Government Information on the Internet (CGII)

by Anita Cannon, the Depository Services Program and Contributors

Intellectual property -- Federal Information

• Canadian Copyrights Database
• Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
• Canadian Patents Database
• Canadian Trademarks Database
• Commissioner's Decisions Database
• Copyright Board Canada
• Copyright Policy Branch, Department of Canadian Heritage
• Intellectual Property Policy Directorate (IPPD), Industry Canada
• Public Lending Right Commission (PLR)

Canadian Copyrights Database
Updated daily, this CIPO database includes all copyrights registered pursuant to the Copyright Act as of October 1, 1991, and selected earlier ones. Copyrights include original literary, artistic, dramatic and musical works as well as performers' performances, sound recordings and communication signals. The help file has details on the contents of the database, essential searching tips, an e-mail link to the Client Service Centre for assistance, links to the "Guide to Copyrights", the "Copyright Act", and online forms for registering and filing for copyright.
(2003-01-15, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
As a special operating agency associated with Industry Canada, CIPO is responsible for administering the intellectual property system in Canada. The CIPO Web site is searchable, well organized, and packed with information. It is the best starting point for information on patents, trade-marks, copyrights, industrial designs and integrated circuit topography. The site has sections for each which include links to helpful background information, notices, frequently asked questions, a glossary, details on fees and the application process. Online forms are provided and details on all electronic services. There are also links to related publications, legislation, and the most important related Web sites in each section. Patents and Trade-marks sections have a list of agents and details on how to become an agent. The searchable patents, trade-marks and copyrights databases can be accessed from the home page which also provides updates on the latest developments in intellectual property and any proposed changes on which discussion or consultation is being sought.
(2003-01-16, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.
http://strategis.gc.ca/sc_mrksv/cipo/welcome/welcom-e.html

Canadian Patents Database
This is CIPO's searchable database of regularly updated patent information dating back to 1920. It includes bibliographic data, patent document text and images. The database has many searchable fields including patent number, title, owner or inventor names, date, etc. and advanced keyword searching options. The Help files include information on the database content and structure, detailed searching tips, a link to Help Desk Assistance, and a list of frequently asked questions.
(2003-01-15, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.
http://Patents1.ic.gc.ca/intro-e.html

Canadian Trademarks Database
This CIPO database allows you to look up all applied for and registered trade-marks under Canadian trade-mark legislation. Also included are all cancelled, expunged, abandoned or refused trade-marks from 1979 on (and some from earlier), other words and designs protected by the Trade-Marks Act or related legislation, plant variety denominations granted under the Plant Breeders' Rights Act, and geographical indications for some wines and spirits. Details provided about individual trade-marks include a brief description, wares and services covered, the owner's name and more. There are 11 searchable fields. The detailed searching tips and information about the database contents are essential reading before a search. General information about trade-marks is also provided, including the document: "Guide to Trade-marks", and links to the Trade-marks Act, and Trade-mark Regulations.
(2003-01-15, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/cipo/trademarks/search/tmSearch.do

Commissioner's Decisions Database
This is searchable database of decisions rendered by the Commissioner of Patents on issues raised in the examination of patent applications. Only public, bilingual decisions are included. Decisions are provided in text and image format with some bibliographic data. The database can be searched in numerous ways including topic, text, various patent numbers, and date. It is updated irregularly, one week after a decision is made public. The detailed help file with searching tips, FAQ and information on the content of the database, is essential reading for searchers.
(2003-01-15, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.
http://patents1.ic.gc.ca/srch_comdec_login-e.html

Copyright Board Canada
The Copyright Board is a regulatory body whose main role is to establish royalties that are fair to copyright owners and users of protected works. It also issues licences for the use of works when copyright owners cannot be located. Decisions of the Board on public performance of music, private copying, and the retransmission of radio and television signals are listed on the Web site from 1990 on, but are not available in full text. Full text documents available on the Web site include the Copyright Act, Bill C-32, copyright regulations, proposed tariffs and certified tariffs, the Board's 1998/99 Annual Report, the most recent Performance Report and Estimates. There is a listing of copyright collectives. Sections on collectives and unlocatable copyright to come. The "What's New" section lists upcoming public hearings.
(2000-02-08, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.
http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/new-e.html

Copyright Policy Branch, Department of Canadian Heritage
This Branch of Canadian Heritage, together with the Intellectual Property Policy Directorate, is responsible for formulating and implementing copyright policy in Canada. Their informative Web site includes general information on copyright, a legislative history, rationale, and international context, and details on how to register for copyright. The "What's New" section has updates on the status of copyright reform in Canada and internationally and a multiple choice quiz question that changes periodically. Publications available online include a glossary of intellectual property terms, "Guide to Copyright", "Copyright Clearance Guide Intended for New Media Producers", "Fact Sheet on Copyright Remedies", and a series of Copyright Circulars on specific topcs such as private copying, photographs, exceptions for libraries, etc. Various studies commissioned by the government and research papers on copyright issues are also available, with links to the Copyright Act, Regulations, international treaties and legislation, and decisions from the Supreme Court, Federal Court, and Copyright Board. Links are provided to related sites in the Canadian government and internationally.
(2003-01-15, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ac-ca/progs/pda-cpb/index_e.cfm

Intellectual Property Policy Directorate (IPPD), Industry Canada
The IPPD has primary responsibility for developing Canada's intellectual property policies within the federal government and advises on intellectual property issues relating to international treaties and conventions. The Web site includes details on their role and mandate, links to federal intellectual property legislation, and to international intellectual property treaties to which Canada is a signatory or member. There are descriptions of Industry Canada policy initiatives and background information covering trade-marks, copyright, patents, biodiversity and aboriginal intellectual property issues, and international agreements. A small collection of full text research papers on biodiversity, database protection, patenting biotechnological inventions, and intellectual property in general are available in HTML and PDF format. A collection of press releases and communiques dates mostly from 1998/99 with more current ones linked to from the "What's New" section.
(2003-01-16, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ip00001e.html

Public Lending Right Commission (PLR)
The PLR Commission was established to provide payments to Canadian authors for books in libraries across Canada. The Web site has information for authors on how to register for PLR payments and the eligibility criteria for authors, editors, translators, contributors to anthologies, and for illustrators and photographers. The contact information is given for obtaining registration forms and more information. Press releases announcing and providing highlights from the 1999 International Public Lending Right Conference are also posted.
(2000-07-07, Anita Cannon, Mount Allison University )

Site available in English and French.
http://www.plr-dpp.ca/PLR/default-e.asp

Copyright © 2002 Anita Cannon and Public Works and Government Services Canada