Sustaining Excellence:
A Modernized Regulatory Framework for
Patent and Trade-mark Agents

The Self-governance Committee and the Council of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) are seeking to modernize the regulatory framework for patent agents and for trade-mark agents. After holding earlier this year a consultation with the members of IPIC on a proposal for the self-regulation of our profession, the next step will be a decision at the October 14th Annual General Meeting in Québec City.

The proposal is available here.

The frequently asked questions are available here.

The details of a possible disciplinary process are provided here.

The results of the member consultation are available here.

Highlights of the proposal include:

• The profession, through IPIC, to become responsible for the establishment and management of a complete admission process (with CIPO retaining the registers)
• IPIC and CIPO to set continuing professional development requirements
• IPIC to maintain a mandatory code of conduct and code of ethics for all agents in the profession (not only IPIC members)
• IPIC to manage the process for the discipline of agents (with CIPO to have the final say in the decisions after a fair review of a complaint.)

We believe this initiative will benefit IPIC members, the public and CIPO.