Canadian IP voices

Episodes

1. Modern IP for Indigenous Entrepreneurs

   20 Oct 2026 · 25 min · Episode 46

   Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions are an important part of Indigenous cultures, identities and innovation. In this episode, we explore how they fit within current intellectual property (IP)…

2. IP insurance: Can startups afford to defend their IP?

   4 Sep 2026 · 31 min · Episode 45

   How can startups and SMEs protect the value of their IP when litigation costs can be overwhelming? Joining us for this episode are Michael Huynh, General Counsel at Intellectual Property Ontario, and Shannon Shannon, a…

3. Testing business ideas: Aligning strategy with IP protection

   18 Jun 2026 · 24 min · Episode 44

   David Bland, author of Testing Business Ideas, and Kevin Dahl, Director of ElevateIP Alberta at Innovate Calgary, explore how to better balance your business strategy with IP considerations. Consider gathering real…

4. Managing IP disputes: mediation, arbitration and other solutions

   20 May 2026 · 24 min · Episode 43

   Facing an IP dispute? There are resolution options that don’t require going to court and the associated fees. Gary Lacasse, Executive Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and…

5. How the Innovation Asset Collective helps cleantech companies succeed

   13 Apr 2026 · 31 min · Episode 42

   The Innovation Asset Collective (IAC) is on a mission to help cleantech companies understand the value of their IP. Erin Pisko, Vice-President of IP Strategy at the IAC, uses real-world examples to show on which…

6. Inside Elevate IP - How Canadian startups can access funding, and IP expertise

   17 Mar 2026 · 21 min · Episode 41

   How does ElevateIP help deliver IP support to businesses? Laura Cooke (ISED), Louis-Félix Binette, and Lola Arnaud (MAIN) answer this important question and more. Hear about how to access funding and how support is…

7. Navigating the global ocean of IP—A Black entrepreneur’s perspective on protection and opportunity

   25 Feb 2026 · 18 min · Episode 40

   Ken Poulin is an independent trademark agent based in Vancouver. He explains why IP protection should start before and not after market success. As a Black entrepreneur himself, he shares his insights on what it looks…

8. Exploring the intersection between IP law and the protection of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions.

   7 Jun 2024 · 22 min · Episode 39

   Vincent de Grandpré, lawyer and trademark agent at Bennett Jones and member of IPIC’s Committee for Indigenous IP explains the intersection between intellectual property law and the protection of Indigenous knowledge…

9. How the IP agent profession is regulated

   1 May 2024 · 26 min · Episode 38

   Juda Strawczynski, CEO and Registrar of the College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents (CPATA) explains how CPATA regulates the IP agent profession, ensuring that patent agents and trademark agents deliver…

10. What innovators need to know about the Competition Bureau

    3 Apr 2024 · 28 min · Episode 37

    Alan Gunderson, senior economist and coordinator at the Economic Analysis Directorate at the Competition Bureau explains the Bureau’s mandate and actions when it comes to intellectual property. Explore online: •…

11. How does IP fit into the world of scientific research and experimental development?

    6 Mar 2024 · 30 min · Episode 36

    David Arsenault, Atlantic Regional Manager for the Canada Revenue Agency's Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program, demystifies the parallel worlds of R&D and IP from an SR&ED tax…

12. How is I.P. managed when the government funds you to innovate?

    7 Feb 2024 · 23 min · Episode 35

    Grant Lynds, a senior advisor on IP matters from the IP Centre of Expertise, sheds light on the role of this group and how IP considerations are addressed in government funding agreements. Explore online: • Canadian…

13. How to use IP for financing

    3 Jan 2024 · 44 min · Episode 34

    Kiriakoula Hatzikiriakos, Manager-Senior Legal Counsel in the Commercial/International sector of Legal Affairs at the National Bank of Canada, explains the rules and challenges of using IP as a collateral for funding.…

14. How do you know what your I.P. is worth?

    6 Dec 2023 · 26 min · Episode 33

    Lawyer and IP expert Sylvain Roy discusses key considerations in IP valuation. Explore online: • Intellectual property valuation • Valuing Intellectual Property Assets

15. How to protect things that aren't formal IP rights

    1 Nov 2023 · 24 min · Episode 32

    Seasoned IP litigator, Elizabeth Dipchand, unravels the intricacies and importance of protecting unregistered intellectual assets, managing relationships, documenting agreements and navigating the nuanced landscape…

16. How IP saved the Canadian icon Cirque du Soleil

    4 Oct 2023 · 12 min · Episode 31

    Daniel Lamarre, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, explains the critical role IP played for Cirque du Soleil during the pandemic. Explore online: • Sample of the brands of the…

17. Why IP is important: Insights from an IP advisor

    6 Sep 2023 · 29 min · Episode 30

    André Gallant, one of CIPO's IP advisors, talks about how IP advisors break myths and highlights opportunities and risks around IP and IP protection. Explore online: • Contact CIPO IP advisors

18. How the unitary patent and the Unified Patent Court work

    5 Jul 2023 · 25 min · Episode 29

    Anthony Dearden explains how the new unitary patent and Unified Patent Court in Europe will work and shares some key considerations for anyone applying for patents in Europe. Explore online: • Guide to the Unified…

19. How to apply for a patent in the U.S. and other countries.

    7 Jun 2023 · 22 min · Episode 28

    Dominique Lambert, Patent agent at Bereskin & Parr explains how the provisional patent in the US works and how to apply for patent protection abroad using the PCT. Explore online: Provisional Application for Patent |…

20. How not to spend money on bad patents

    3 May 2023 · 38 min · Episode 27

    Louis Carbonneau, patent broker who evaluates hundreds of patents for clients each year shares some tips and tricks on where to spend the money to ensure you file for valuable IP rights. Explore online: Louis…

21. Who owns AI-generated creations (and why you should care)

    1 Mar 2023 · 32 min · Episode 26

    Guillaume Lavoie Ste-Marie, copyright, patent and trademark litigator and principal at Smart & Biggar in Montreal, talks about ChatGPT, intellectual property (IP) tips and traps that artificial intelligence (AI) users…

22. Is your IP future-proof? How to think like an in-house IP counsel

    1 Feb 2023 · 17 min · Episode 25

    Robert Guay, director of IP at Shopify, shares some ideas and insights on how to think like a pro when it comes to patents. Explore online: • Plan for success – Build an IP strategy

23. How IP rights saved my business

    4 Jan 2023 · 13 min · Episode 24

    Johanne Boivin, expert advisor at Point Cardinal and former CEO or Executive Vice-President shares her story how IP saved her business. Explore online : Learn about IP

24. FIFA World Cup special: How FIFA protects its intellectual property

    7 Dec 2022 · 21 min · Episode 23

    Julie Jones and Raed AlHout explain how the FIFA head office in Switzerland and officials in Qatar protect FIFA IP assets before and during the World Cup. Explore online: FIFA Intellectual Property Guidelines

25. What is the difference between a corporation name, trade name, brand name and domain name?

    2 Nov 2022 · 24 min · Episode 22

    Martin Lacelle from Corporations Canada and lawyer James Plotkin clarify the differences between and importance of legal/trade/brand/domain names. Explore online: • Corporations Canada • Incorporating in a specific…

26. How do incubators/accelerators support innovators and their IP?

    5 Oct 2022 · 20 min · Episode 21

    Josée Pharand, Director of IP Programs and Policies at ventureLAB, explains how ventureLAB supports innovators and their IP in the Canadian innovation ecosystem. Tune in for a discussion about choosing between patents…

27. How traditional brands and IP rights are entering the metaverse

    22 Jun 2022 · 21 min · Episode 20

    Brigitte Chan, lawyer and trademark agent discusses what the IP professionals are observing as real brands are going virtual in a fictional universe; the metaverse. Discover online: The IP Metaverse Series: Part I:…

28. How plant breeders’ rights are protected in Canada

    8 Jun 2022 · 31 min · Episode 19

    Anthony Parker, Commissioner of the Plant Breeders' Rights Office within the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, explains the development of plant breeders' rights, how they are examined and how they function in Canada.…

29. Powered by Haloo: How artificial intelligence systems can be used to prepare trademark registration applications

    25 May 2022 · 26 min · Episode 18

    Julie MacDonell, Co-founder and CEO of Haloo discusses the importance of trademarks and how artificial intelligence is used at Haloo to partially replace manual searching in the trademark registration application…

30. How IP is managed in the academic sector

    11 May 2022 · 23 min · Episode 17

    Mark Weber, director of Innovation and Partnerships at McGill University, explains why and how a university manages intellectual property. Explore online: McGill University’s Guide for Faculty Inventors

31. Best practices for using open source software

    27 Apr 2022 · 46 min · Episode 16

    Jules Gaudin, of ROBIC, explains some of the pitfalls and best practices for users and providers of open source software. Explore online: Choosing a licence: Information on the most common open source licences, to…

32. How to protect training data used in the creation of AI systems

    13 Apr 2022 · 31 min · Episode 15

    Artificial Intelligence experts and in-house counsels Paul Gagnon and Misha Benjamin talk about the rights and limitations of IP protection for data used in the creation of artificial intelligence systems. Explore…

33. Intangible assets at risk: How to get cyber smart

    30 Mar 2022 · 25 min · Episode 14

    Nigel Russell, policy analyst and CyberSecure Canada advisor, explains the importance of understanding cyber security and the steps you can take to keep your digital intellectual property safe. Explore online:…

34. What exactly is a patent?

    16 Mar 2022 · 28 min · Episode 13

    Beatrice Sze, patent examiner at CIPO, explains the cornerstones of patents and what you need to know if you’re considering filing a patent application. Explore online: Learn more about patents.

35. How can a CIPO IP advisor help you with your IP?

    2 Mar 2022 · 18 min · Episode 12

    Explore online: Learn about IP in our online Discover IP and use this checklist to explore the identify your own IP. CIPO's IP advisors help SMEs and entrepreneurs understand the strategic value of their IP and can…

36. How to play someone’s music on-site and online

    16 Feb 2022 · 26 min · Episode 11

    James Leacock, Director of Royalty Collections at Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) explains how music composers and performers are paid and the steps to take to play music in online…

37. Intellectual property in the Cannabis industry

    2 Feb 2022 · 16 min · Episode 10

    Catherine Lemay, assistant general counsel-IP at Hexo reveals how various IP rights are used in an industry that was created over night and also things to consider if you have an invention you think may be worth…

38. Behind the scene: Experiences (and hints) from a patent examiner.

    19 Jan 2022 · 13 min · Episode 9

    Marie-Claude Gagnon, patent examiner at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office explains the examination process and why it is important to disclose the right amount of information at the start of the application…

39. How copyright works when we share things on social media

    5 Jan 2022 · 25 min · Episode 8

    A copyright lawyer at Bereskin & Parr LLP explains some of the complexities of copyright and sharing content on social media as well as ways to minimize the risk of infringing someone else’s copyright. Explore online:…

40. How illustrators help applicants show how an invention works

    22 Dec 2021 · 15 min · Episode 7

    Darpan Patel, technical illustrator and former patent draftsman, explains the work involved in creating illustrations of designs and inventions. Explore online: Search the patent database to view patents with…

41. How to deal with pirate (fake) copies in the marketplace

    8 Dec 2021 · 23 min · Episode 6

    Lawyer Lorne Lipkus talks about the multi-faceted problems with pirate copies and what you can do to stop them. Professionals, parents and kids – we’re all involved. Explore online: Report illegal activities to…

42. How to protect your videogames

    24 Nov 2021 · 31 min · Episode 5

    Lawyer and trademark agent Michael Shortt explains the IP rights and associated contracts that form the cornerstones in the videogaming industry and some of the related laws and rights that videogames should be aware…

43. Why use an IP agent?

    27 Oct 2021 · 15 min · Episode 1

    Patent and trademark agent Louis Martineau explains what IP agents help their clients with and answers some of the most common questions he gets as he helps his clients file for IP protection. Explore online:…

44. How to stop counterfeit products at the border

    27 Oct 2021 · 12 min · Episode 3

    Becky Illson-Skinner, senior program advisor and program and policy lead for the Intellectual Property Rights Program at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), explains how the CBSA helps IP rights holders stop…

45. How Amazon and sellers deal with intellectual property rights

    27 Oct 2021 · 18 min · Episode 2

    Mary Beth Westmoreland, Amazon's VP of Brand Protection, talks about what Amazon does to protect sellers and their IP against bad actors online and what new sellers need to know before they start selling their products…

46. How to jumpstart intellectual property protection in Canada’s Artificial Intelligence ecosystem

    27 Oct 2021 · 16 min · Episode 4

    Todd Bailey, Chief IP Officer at the Scale AI supercluster reflects on some of the challenges and solutions related to IP protection in Canada’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. Explore online: Check out Todd’s blog…