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    Trademarks, Brands & Designs

Trademarks, Brands & Designs

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Overview

Gowling WLG's internationally renowned, award-winning team of trademark professionals has a long-standing reputation as the go-to firm for organizations seeking trademark and branding advice, and is the largest group of its kind in Canada.

We consistently file more trademark applications and have more registrations under management than any other Canadian firm, which speaks to the experience and trust our clients have in us to deliver the highest level of practical, effective advice. We understand the challenges and opportunities of brand management, and apply legal expertise and commercial insight to your advantage.

Industry-specific experience

Our industry expertise is vast, and includes an array of global and local brands covering consumer goods, food and beverage, retail and professional services, chemical, manufacturing, technology, and financial services, among others. We also hold a deep understanding of the issues facing pharmaceutical brands, including clearance, regulatory approvals, look alike/sound alike issues, trans-shipping and online sales, and protection of get-up and infringement issues.

Comprehensive brand strategy

From conception and development through to exploitation and enforcement, our group has the necessary experience and expertise in all facets of branding, from trademarks through to designs, copyright, domain names, licensing and enforcement.

Trademark clearance

Whether locally, regionally or internationally, we can assist you in clearing the use and registration of new brands across all business spectrums.

Trademark registration and portfolio management

Directly through our offices in Canada and China, and through a network of trusted firms in other jurisdictions, we have the experience and tools to seek registration of your trademarks and manage your portfolio in a manner that's both commercially practical and cost-effective.

Trademark enforcement and anti-counterfeiting

We hold unparalleled experience in trademark enforcement, including opposition proceedings, infringement, passing off, dilution, anti-counterfeiting, trans-shipping and parallel import matters. We regularly appear before all levels of court in Canada, and manage and co-ordinate litigation files in international jurisdictions.

Domain name disputes

We have extensive experience acting on domain name disputes before WIPO, Nominet and CIRA.

Licensing and IP transactional work

We can work with you to maximize brand exploitation through licensing and sales, and will collaborate seamlessly with our corporate colleagues on your IP and due diligence issues in multifaceted commercial transactions.

Gowling WLG's internationally renowned, award-winning team of trademark professionals has a long-standing reputation as the go-to firm for organizations seeking trademark and branding advice, and is the largest group of its kind in Canada.

We consistently file more trademark applications and have more registrations under management than any other Canadian firm, which speaks to the experience and trust our clients have in us to deliver the highest level of practical, effective advice. We understand the challenges and opportunities of brand management, and apply legal expertise and commercial insight to your advantage.

Industry-specific experience

Our industry expertise is vast, and includes an array of global and local brands covering consumer goods, food and beverage, retail and professional services, chemical, manufacturing, technology, and financial services, among others. We also hold a deep understanding of the issues facing pharmaceutical brands, including clearance, regulatory approvals, look alike/sound alike issues, trans-shipping and online sales, and protection of get-up and infringement issues.

Comprehensive brand strategy

From conception and development through to exploitation and enforcement, our group has the necessary experience and expertise in all facets of branding, from trademarks through to designs, copyright, domain names, licensing and enforcement.

Trademark clearance

Whether locally, regionally or internationally, we can assist you in clearing the use and registration of new brands across all business spectrums.

Trademark registration and portfolio management

Directly through our offices in Canada and China, and through a network of trusted firms in other jurisdictions, we have the experience and tools to seek registration of your trademarks and manage your portfolio in a manner that's both commercially practical and cost-effective.

Trademark enforcement and anti-counterfeiting

We hold unparalleled experience in trademark enforcement, including opposition proceedings, infringement, passing off, dilution, anti-counterfeiting, trans-shipping and parallel import matters. We regularly appear before all levels of court in Canada, and manage and co-ordinate litigation files in international jurisdictions.

Domain name disputes

We have extensive experience acting on domain name disputes before WIPO, Nominet and CIRA.

Licensing and IP transactional work

We can work with you to maximize brand exploitation through licensing and sales, and will collaborate seamlessly with our corporate colleagues on your IP and due diligence issues in multifaceted commercial transactions.

Delivering innovation, agility and certainty: Meet us INTA 2025

More than 40 members of our global IP team will be in San Diego—presenting, networking and collaborating to help tackle your most critical challenges.

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Key contacts

Nelson Godfrey

R. Nelson Godfrey

Partner

Patent Agent, Trademark Agent; National Practice Group Leader - Trademarks

Vancouver
View our team
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PatentsIP Litigation & StrategyIntellectual Property LawAdvertising & Product Regulatory

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Gowling WLG is an international law firm comprising the members of Gowling WLG International Limited, an English Company Limited by Guarantee, and their respective affiliates. Each member and affiliate is an autonomous and independent entity. Gowling WLG International Limited promotes, facilitates and co-ordinates the activities of its members but does not itself provide services to clients. Our structure is explained in more detail on our Legal Information page.

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