Proactive strategy is our core strength
Technology is transforming traditional industries, and effective intellectual property strategy and management is imperative for any company operating in today’s big-data, tech-driven global economy.
Focused monitoring, consistent reviews, and proactive strategizing enables companies to stay up-to-date on competitive trends as well as emerging threats. Start-ups and SMEs need to put in place clear intellectual property (IP) strategies to support their business objectives. IP rights are often seen as passive insurance policies taken out on inventions, and their value and benefit often overlooked. This falls behind how IP is being used around the world to create tangible commercial value for start-ups and SMEs.
IP strategy should be a core business conversation in order to maximize innovation, advance competitive strength, and enhance the overall corporate strategy of a company, business or brand. A successful IP strategy must offer a tailored, business-centric approach.
Proactive and focused IP strategizing cuts across all industries and can be used to create new business partnerships, drive mergers and acquisitions, block competition, and inspire innovation.
Unmatched Expertise in IP Strategic Advisory
Our proven legal and technical expertise in advising and counselling clients on the development and management of a valuable IP portfolio allows us to fully assess an IP landscape that is increasingly forward-thinking. We provide clients with sophisticated experience and expertise, including real-world experience of individuals who spent years as in-house counsel, IP managers, and strategic consultants for internationally recognized research and development-based companies. Smart & Biggar’s powerful team of experts is unmatched in securing, enforcing, and growing our clients’ IP portfolios.
Key Contacts
At Smart & Biggar, our strategic counselling, transactions, and licensing lawyers have the unique expertise, depth of experience, and industry knowledge to field a dedicated team to help our clients achieve their commercial objectives.Client Success
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IP audit and strategy development for nuclear science company
IP audit and IP strategy for a global recognized leader in nuclear science and technology.Read More -
IP audit for Quebec-based multinational
IP audit for a major Quebec-based multinational to provide recommendations to improve IP management function, role and responsibilities.Read More -
Investment advisory for software start-ups
IP counsel on behalf of a Canadian VC investor in several software, industrial and Internet start-ups.Read More -
IP Management / Strategy
Project leader for an IP audit of a major Canadian financial institution, including recommendations for an IP monetization / commercialization strategyRead More -
IP audit of cosmeceutical company
IP audit of a major North America cosmeceutical company to implement an IP management and IP strategy to enhance overall corporate value and exit strategy.Read More -
IP Management / Strategy
IP lead co-counsel and project leader in renegotiating a global partnership, licensing and distribution agreement for a leading Canadian pharmaceutical company with a major Japanese industrial partner...Read More -
IP audit of US-based industrial manufacturer
IP audit of US based industrial manufacturer in support / collaboration with a leading accounting firm for a strategic US/Canada transfer pricing project.Read More -
Strategic IP document for cleantech company
Strategic IP document for a Canadian-based venture-backed clean tech company and to assist in implementation.Read More
Unparalleled Expertise in IP Strategic Advisory
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MIP
Canadian IP Boutique Firm of the Year(Shortlisted)
2011-2020Managing IP Americas Awards -
Chambers & Partners
Four IP leaders
2016-2021Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business -
Chambers & Partners
Band One Firm
2010-2021Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business -
Lexpert
IP Boutique Law Firm of the Year
2020Canadian Law Awards -
Chambers & Partners
Band One Firm: Intellectual Property
2016-2021Chambers Canada -
MIP
Tier One Firm for Patents & Trademarks
2014-2020IP Stars Handbooks -
Euromoney LMG
Seven Rising Stars in IP
2020Expert Guides: Rising Stars -
The Legal 500
Top Tier Firm for IP
2015-2021The Legal 500 Canada -
MIP
Canadian IP Boutique Firm of the Year
2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 & 2020Managing IP Americas Awards -
Chambers & Partners
Five leading lawyers
2019 & 2020Chambers Canada
Related Publications & Articles
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Protecting innovations through patent due diligence and FTO analysis
There are many different types of Freedom To Operate (FTO) analyses, and the type performed can vary depending on a company’s tolerance for unknown risk, key business goals and priorities and budget.Read More -
Canada’s patent office speeding examination of COVID-19 med-tech applications, cutting company costs
David Schwartz spoke to Bioworld about the new pilot program designed to reduce the time it takes to approve patent applications for inventions supporting health-related response to COVID-19.Read More -
Welcome to Canada! 8 important life sciences IP issues for innovators doing business in Canada
Spanning 5525 miles, the United States-Canada border is the longest border between any two countries. U.S. goods and services trade with Canada totaled an estimated $718.5 billion in 2018, possibly th...Read More -
Double Patenting: A comparative guide between U.S. & Canadian practice
Double patenting has become a common challenge to patent validity in Canada since the decision rendered by the Supreme Court of Canada in Whirlpool Corp. v Camco Inc in 2000.Read More -
New details on the Government of Canada’s IP Strategy
In the global knowledge economy of the 21st century, governments are becoming aware of the importance of intellectual property (IP) and are putting in place strategies to encourage innovative business...Read More -
It’s the final countdown: Top 10 changes to Canada’s trademark law in 2019
After five years of anticipation, sweeping changes to Canada’s trademark law will finally come into force on June 17, 2019.Read More -
Canada introduces Bill C-100: A step towards ratification of “NAFTA 2.0”
In a step towards ratifying the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the Canadian government introduced Bill C-100, entitled “An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United Sta...Read More -
Proposed Regulations would amend process for sale of drugs for emergencies, including under SAP
On May 3, 2019, two sets of proposed amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations were published.Read More
Related News & Media
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Smart & Biggar shortlisted for seven North America awards by Managing Intellectual Property
Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that the firm has been shortlisted for an impressive and industry-leading seven Canadian IP awards at Managing Intellectual Property’s 2021 North America Awards.Read More -
7 Smart & Biggar partners featured as leading IP lawyers in Canada in the 2021 edition of Lexpert / ALM 500
Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that 7 partners are recognized among Canada’s leading lawyers for intellectual property (IP) in the 23rd Edition of The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading ...Read More -
Smart & Biggar named “IP Boutique Law Firm of the Year” at the inaugural Canadian Law Awards
Smart & Biggar is honoured to be the recipient of the ‘IP Boutique Law Firm of the Year’ award at the inaugural Canadian Law Awards.Read More -
Four Smart & Biggar partners ranked among the best of the best as WTR Global Leaders
Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that four partners have been listed among the world’s most notable trademark practitioners in the second edition of World Trademark Review (WTR) Global Leaders.Read More -
Smart & Biggar named IP 'Law Firm of the Year' and leads the rankings with 31 lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 edition
Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that we have been named 'Law Firm of the Year' for expertise in Intellectual Property Law in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada.Read More -
Yoon Kang named in the 'Top 250 Women in IP' by Managing Intellectual Property
Smart & Biggar is pleased to share that partner Yoon Kang has been featured among the top female IP lawyers in the world in MIP ‘Top 250 Women in IP'.Read More -
Smart & Biggar and Invest Ottawa hosts webinar masterclass on IP strategy for software
On Wednesday, May 6, Smart & Biggar in partnership with Invest Ottawa will host a webinar masterclass – “IP Strategy for Software” – for members of the Invest Ottawa community.Read More -
Smart & Biggar welcomes Denise Felsztyna as a new associate in Montreal
Smart & Biggar is pleased to announce that Denise Felsztyna has joined the firm as an associate in Montreal.Read More