You have filed your patent application, so you can relax? Sadly, no. An important, and oft-misunderstood obligation in U.S. patent practice is the duty to submit to the patent office all information you know that is material to the patentability of your company’s invention. IP managers and founders are well served by mastering Information Disclosure...Read More

Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has laid out a five‑year business strategy that directly affects how patents will be examined. For inventors, companies, and IP professionals, the plan signals CIPO’s intent to change. However, we will see if there are meaningful changes in pendency, quality, digital tools, and policy.  Background CIPO is the federal agency...Read More

Most people know an invention must be new, useful, and non-obvious. Obviousness or inventive step asks whether the claimed invention would have been an expected development to a skilled person in light of the prior references and products. This is an important concept in patent law that we, as IP managers in companies, had to...Read More

Two common types of patent search in intellectual property practice are the patentability search (also known as a novelty search) and the landscape search (patent landscape). Some of our clients confuse these labels, but once explained, they know what they need. Searches All searches include a review of references, compilation of the representative or most...Read More

What are year-end reflection for IP managers? As the year winds down, intellectual property managers have a unique opportunity to reflect on accomplishments and set the stage for success in the coming year. Inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas, here are twelve (12) meaningful tasks to consider as you wrap up the year. One...Read More

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is stepping up enforcement against applicants who falsely claim small entity or micro entity status to receive fee discounts. This enforcement started in 2023, but a new June 2025 memo outlines a formal notice-and-order process with real consequences, such as removal from examination, penalties, and delays in patent...Read More

Every technology company in British Columbia should join AccelerateIP. They provide funding for IP education, IP strategy, and services. Perpetual Motion Patents is one of the approved service providers in the program.Read More

Every Canadian technology company should join the Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). They can help you grow your business through advice, connections, and funding for a robust IP management program.Read More

IP managers, like scientists, analyze challenges. They work with emerging technology and identify assets that align with strategic goals, much like scientific hypotheses align with research objectives.Read More

IP managers strategically choose which assets to protect, like an artist selecting colours. They identify assets the way a photographer isolates details in a crowded scene.Read More