Starting from January 2025, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) will launch a new pilot project.
As part of this project, and on its own initiative, the Trademarks Register will initiate monthly cancellation procedures for non-use (pursuant to Section 45 of the local Trademarks Act). Randomly selected owners of trademarks registered for over three years will be required to submit evidence of use of their mark for each designated product and/or service, or to provide adequate justification for non-use due to exceptional circumstances.
If evidence of use or the above-mentioned exceptional circumstances is not provided, the selected registrations will be partially or entirely cancelled.
Since this new CIPO initiative could directly affect the registration of your trademarks, we strongly recommend ensuring that your trademarks are in use in Canada and that the necessary supporting documentation is available in case the Canadian Trademarks Register (CANADIAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE – CIPO) issues a request concerning one of your trademarks.
For any questions regarding this pilot project or trademark registrations in Canada, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or reach out to your dedicated consultant.