The implementation of IP treaties, trade agreements, and other initiatives by government are bringing an unprecedented number of changes of the Canadian intellectual property system in trademarks, patents, copyright and industrial designs. Members of Council of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) will provide an overview of the known and potential changes to the IP framework.
Speakers:
David Schwartz (President of IPIC), Smart&Biggar/Fetherstonhaugh
Jeffrey Astle (Past President of IPIC), Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
Stephanie Chong (Member of Council), Hoffer Adler
Marijo Coates (Member of Council), Deeth Williams Wall
Louis-Pierre Gravelle (Member of Council), Robic
Stephen Beney (Member of Council), Bereskin & Parr
David Schwartz, President
David Schwartz, lawyer, patent and trademark agent, is a partner in Smart & Biggar/Fetherstonhaugh’s Ottawa office. Since 1994, David has practiced exclusively in the IP field with a focus on patent law, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and chemistry. As President, this is David’s sixth year on Council. He has previously been Chair of the Biotechnology Patents Committee.
Jeffrey Astle, Past President
Jeffrey Astle, lawyer, patent and trademark agent, is Intellectual Property Counsel for Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. based at the company’s head office near Montréal. His practice focuses on providing legal and business advice on all IP and technology related legal matters for his clients in its high technology aerospace business. As Immediate Past President, this is Jeff’s seventh and last year on Council. He has previously been Chair of the Corporate Practitioners Committee.
Stephanie Chong, Councillor
Stephanie Chong is a partner with the Toronto firm of Hoffer Adler LLP. As a lawyer and trademark agent, Stephanie’s practice focuses on the acquisition, enforcement and maintenance of trademarks, including providing clients with business-oriented advice about their brand strategy from an IP perspective. Stephanie is a past Chair of the Forums & Seminars Committee.
Marijo Coates, Councillor
Marijo Coates is a lawyer, trademark agent and a founding partner of Deeth Williams Wall LLP in Toronto. Marijo’s areas of practice include advising on commercial transactions involving IP such as licensing and merchandising agreements, distribution and supply agreements, and co-packing agreements. Marijo is a past Chair of the Joint Liaison Committee – Trademarks.
Louis-Pierre Gravelle, Councillor
Louis-Pierre Gravelle, lawyer and patent agent, is a partner in Robic, LLP, and practices out of the firm’s Montréal office. He has been with Robic all of his professional life, drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the fields of telecommunications, software, hardware, consumer products and medical devices, and counsels clients in establishing and managing their IP portfolios. He is a past chair of Joint Liaison Committee – Patents and past vice-chair of the Forums & Seminars Committee.
Stephen Beney, Councillor
Stephen Beney, patent agent, is a partner in the Mississauga office of Bereskin & Parr LLP. Stephen’s practice focuses on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in the mechanical, electro-mechanical and software fields. Stephen is currently Vice-Chair of the Patent Legislation Committee and has been an instructor for the Patent Agent Training Course for many years.
