CIPO Prepares for Nice- Stage 1

Beginning in late September, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office began to accept the filing of trademark applications in which the goods and services are grouped according to the Nice Classification.  We recently attended a webinar hosted by CIPO, in which the Office demonstrated and explained the many changes which have now been made to the application filing process and to the Manual of Goods and Services, in order to accommodate these changes.  There will be many more changes to come, as the new system moves from being voluntary to becoming mandatory, when the new trademark legislation comes into force.  Stay tuned for further reports as these new changes are unveiled.