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28 www.canadianlawyermag.com TOP INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY BOUTIQUES OVER THE past 20 years or so, laws and practices that relate to intellectual property have evolved in Canada, says Matthew Zischka, managing partner at Smart & Biggar LLP, one of the Top 10 IP boutiques. With Canada entering the trade agreements and reworking previous agreements – like turning the old NAFTA into PROTECTING INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY CUSMA (the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement), IP, patent and trademark laws have led to modifications and concessions, he says. It has also led to a lot of changes in dead- lines and timing requirements, and law firms have had to revamp their systems significantly to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. "There is a big focus now on educating young people and folks in the start- up phase about IP, and how it is really important to the ultimate strength of that asset" Amrita Singh, Marks & Clerk CIPO QUICK FACTS (2019-2020) Source: Canadian Intellectual Property Office Patents 37,999 applications Trademarks 68,385 applications Industrial designs 7,408 applications Copyright 8,753 registrations 3% 8% 21% 5% And in some cases, the downside of missing a date is much more significant than it was a few years ago and fixing the problem has become more complex as well. An example of a change that keeps law SPECIAL REPORT