Strategic IP for the fast-moving and competitive consumer goods industry
Exponential industry growth in consumer products has made IP strategy essential for a competitive edge in a crowded market. Companies that actively protect, and enforce intellectual property rights can navigate and exploit business opportunities to preserve and expand their market position and brand recognition.
IP protection for every stage of a product’s lifecycle
A focused IP strategy, which can include patent, trademark, copyright, design and trade secret protection, must align with a company’s unique commercial objectives. From the early stages of product development, through to advertising and marketing, precise and focused IP counsel can protect market share and identify and capitalize on trends and emerging markets. It can also ensure regulatory compliance while safeguarding against infringing activities.
Opportunities and growth in Canada
For foreign companies in the consumer products industry looking to expand into North America, Canada is a lucrative and thriving market for consumer products goods. Expert IP counsel is vital for both domestic and foreign-owned companies to navigate the industry’s regulatory framework. At Smart & Biggar, we understand the complexity involved in creating and protecting innovation and valuable global supply chains for our clients, which include designers, retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. We advise on the import, sale and marketing of a wide variety of products and services in Canada.
Technical expertise
With deep know-how in the consumer products industry, we stay on top of trends and provide our clients with sophisticated advice and services to protect, enforce and grow their IP in Canada. Our lawyers also possess deep technical expertise across multiple areas. They hold advanced degrees including in chemistry, biochemistry, material science, physics, biophysics, and electrical, mechanical and computer engineering. Many also have direct industry experience in product development, engineering and research and development. With an interdisciplinary approach and a sophisticated industry understanding, we ensure our clients capitalize on cutting-edge IP strategies to support their business objectives.
Legal expertise
As the largest firm specializing in intellectual property law in Canada, our lawyers are leaders and trusted advisors to some of the most innovative companies in the world. We have handled many of Canada’s most commercially important and technically complex intellectual property cases, many of them precedent-setting. Our lawyers are highly skilled litigators at the top of their fields and have appeared in the highest appellate levels of common law and civil law courts, including appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada on more than 50 occasions. We have significant experience in multijurisdictional cases, and have coordinated litigation strategies worldwide.
Global perspective
At Smart & Biggar, we understand the challenges facing our clients in the consumer products industry. Our legal experts offer precise focused strategies, and our global client base ranges from small and medium-sized companies to some of the largest enterprises in the world. We also collaborate with leading IP practitioners globally to protect Canadian manufacturing and technology abroad as well as to protect foreign innovations and brands in Canada.
Our depth of experience is unmatched
Our lawyers advise on all IP aspects of the consumer products sector, including patent and trademark strategy, filing and prosecution, design protection and enforcement, IP litigation, and licensing opportunities, as well as providing advice and support in navigating the regulatory landscape in this industry
Our services in this area include:
- Utility & design patents
- Trademarks
- Industrial Designs
- Copyright
- Trade secrets
- Licenses & distributorships
- Litigation
- Advertising & marketing
- Regulatory
- Privacy
- Anti-spam (CASL)
- Product safety