CIPO’s Path Toward a Modern, High-Performing IP Framework

This past September 2025, we had the pleasure of attending Marques Conference in the Hague.  We were thrilled to attend a seminar where the head of the Trademarks Branch was providing updates on developments at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (“CIPO”).

We took advantage of this rare opportunity to provide feedback on consistent concerns that our clients face, including timeliness and quality of examiners at the Canadian Trademarks Office.  We advise on CIPO’s position.  

CIPO is accelerating its modernization journey to strengthen efficiency, reduce pendency, and deliver a world-class service experience for trademarks and industrial designs. This transformation supports CIPO’s vision of being a high-performing, innovative, and client-centric IP organization.

CIPO’s Business Strategy is built on three core pillars:

1. Timely Delivery and Quality Services – Enhancing operational excellence by ensuring consistent, predictable decisions and faster, more modern client experiences.

2. Fostering Innovation and Competitiveness – Promoting IP awareness and effective use among Canadians while strengthening Canada’s leadership in the global IP system.

3. Building a High-Performing Future Organization – Creating a modern, agile, and inclusive workplace committed to excellence, diversity, and strong governance

CIPO’s ongoing transformation includes major advancements in both trademark and industrial design operations:

• Phased Approach to Trademark Pendency:

  • Phase 1 – Traditional: Expanding examiner capacity to reduce backlog.

  • Phase 2 – Automation & AI: Introducing automation and AI in examination and renewals.

  • Phase 3 – Assisted Analysis: Leveraging AI tools for smarter, faster, and more consistent decisions.

The Madrid System continues to perform strongly, exceeding expectations with 9,100 applications filed at the Office of Origin, 19,882 designations, and 2,100 subsequent designations.

For industrial designs, projects to address high pendency, develop search consistency guidelines, and introduce a formal correction process under the Hague Agreement are targeted for completion by 2025–2026.

CIPO remains a strong player in the global IP landscape, with the top annual filing origins coming from:

• United States – 11,270

• Germany – 6,449

• China – 5,826

• France – 4,211

• United Kingdom – 3,726

  
  

Domestically, filings continue to grow, with trademark applications up 14% year over year as of September 2025.

Looking Ahead

Through AI integration, IT modernization, and stakeholder collaboration, CIPO is shaping a more agile, transparent, and innovation-ready IP ecosystem. The result will be a modern, high-performing Canadian IP framework that empowers creativity, strengthens competitiveness, and meets the evolving needs of businesses and innovators across Canada and beyond.

By combining legislative modernization, digital innovation, and AI integration, CIPO is laying the foundation for a more agile, efficient, and globally aligned IP ecosystem, one that supports creativity, innovation, and business growth across Canada and beyond.

Froese Law will continue to engage with CIPO to ensure that our clients’ concerns are voiced.