James Green Partner Patent Agent, Trademark Agent


Speaks:  English

Year of Call: 2010 - Ontario

Primary phone: +1 416-369-7102

Fax: +1 416-862-7661

Email: james.green@gowlingwlg.com

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Primary office:  Toronto



James Green

James Green is an intellectual property litigator in Gowling WLG's Toronto office. James has extensive experience representing clients in trademark, patent, design and copyright litigation before all levels of court in Canada. James’ recent litigation experience notably includes three of the only handful of recent Canadian trademark cases where claims of depreciation of goodwill (dilution) have succeeded.

James has particular expertise in Canadian opposition and cancellation practice, with a string of recent wins before the Trademarks Opposition Board, including a series of complex opposition proceedings dealing with non-traditional colour-shape and packaging configuration marks. James also assists brand owners with the recovery of improperly registered domain names under both the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Procedure (UDRP) and Canadian CIRA Domain Name Dispute Resolution Procedure (CDRP).

In addition to his litigation practice, James is a registered Canadian trademark and patent agent. James prosecutes applications for patents and trademarks and provides advice to Canadian and international clients with respect to intellectual property strategy, clearance, and enforcement.

James is regularly recognized by leading legal ranking services. In the World Trademark Review 1000 James is individually ranked as a leading Canadian practitioner in trademark litigation and enforcement, with his clients saying: “James is a personable and knowledgeable attorney whose IP expertise is invaluable. I always feel as if my interests are well taken care of, and I wholeheartedly recommend him.”

James previously served as a law clerk to the Honourable Justice James O'Reilly of the Federal Court. At the Federal Court, James provided assistance in intellectual property cases and also gained extensive experience in administrative law, assisting with judicial review proceedings from decisions of a wide variety of Federal boards and tribunals. Before practising law, James studied chemistry and worked in a research laboratory.

Career & Recognition

Filter timeline:

Memberships

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Law Society of Ontario
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • The Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History
  • Protection Against Infringement of Patents in Canada, Canadian Intellectual Property Review, Vol. 36 (2021) (co-author)
  • Apotex Inc v AstraZeneca Inc: IP Experts Take the Plunge into the Hot Tub, European Intellectual Property Review, Vol. 34, Issue 12 (2012)
  • Supreme Court of Canada Clarification of the Law With Respect to the Test for Trade-mark Confusion, IP Law Quarterly, Vol. XVI, No. 4 (2011)

Representative Work

James regularly appears as counsel in cases before the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, and Trademarks Opposition Board. A sample of cases includes:

Federal Court:

  • Vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. v. Garmin Switzerland GmbH, 2022 FC 1410: successful defence of appeal from decision of Trademarks Opposition Board (counsel for Garmin)
  • Bean Box, Inc. v Roasted Bean Box Inc., 2022 FC 499: successful claim for trademark infringement, passing off, and depreciation of goodwill (counsel for Bean Box)
  • 1196278 Ontario Inc (Sassafraz) v. 815470 Ontario Ltd (Sassafras Coastal Kitchen & Bar), 2022 FC 116 :successful claim for trademark infringement, passing off, and depreciation of goodwill (counsel for Sassafraz)
  • Canadian Standards Association v P.S. Knight Co. Ltd. et al (T-1166-21 and T-1178-12): obtained judgment for copyright infringement and violations of the Trademarks Act (counsel for CSA)
  • Canadian Standards Association v P.S. Knight Co. Ltd., 2021 FC 770: successful prosecution of contempt of court proceedings against copyright infringer (counsel for CSA)
  • Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd. v Herbs "R" Us Wellness Society, 2020 FC 682: successful claim for depreciation of goodwill (counsel for Toys "R" Us" Canada)
  • Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited v Philip Morris Brands Sarl, 2018 FC 503: defence of complex appeals from Trademarks Opposition Board (counsel for Philip Morris)
  • Canadian Standards Association v P.S. Knight Co. Ltd., 2017 FC 1192: successful defence of motion for interlocutory injunction (counsel for CSA)
  • Trans-High Corporation v Conscious Consumption Inc., 2016 FC 949: obtained judgment for trademark infringement, depreciation, and passing-off with personal liability for corporate directors of infringing company (counsel for Trans-High)
  • Trans-High Corporation v Hightimes Smokeshop and Gifts Inc., 2015 FC 919 and 2015 FC 1104: successful prosecution of contempt of court proceedings against trademark infringer (counsel for Trans-High)
  • Philip Morris Products S.A. v Marlboro Canada Limited, 2015 FC 364: decision concerning entitlement to accounting of profits in a novel trademark infringement case (counsel for Philip Morris)
  • Burning Man v Burn BC Arts Cooperative, 2015 FC 42: obtained judgment for passing-off (counsel for Burning Man)
  • Syntel, Inc. v Syntelica Solutions Inc. (T-715-14): successful application to expunge an improperly registered trademark (counsel for Syntel)
  • I.C. Medical Inc. AMT Electrosurgery Inc. v Linvatec Canada ULC (T-1284-12): successful motions to declare a counterclaim moot and to defend claim for elevated costs of a patent infringement claim (counsel for I.C. Medical and AMT Electrosurgery)
  • Micro Focus (IP) Limited v Information Builders Inc., 2014 FC 632: successful appeal from a decision of the Trademarks Opposition Board (counsel for Micro Focus)
  • Trans-High Corporation v Hightimes Smokeshop and Gifts Inc., 2013 FC 1190: obtained judgment granting substantial damages and costs in an application for trademark infringement and passing-off (counsel for Trans-High)
  • Baksh v Probiohealth, 2012 FC 1388: successful defence of application for judicial review and statutory appeal from a decision of the Commissioner of Patents (counsel for Probiohealth)

Federal Court of Appeal:

  • General Entertainment and Music Inc. v Gold Line Telemanagement Inc., 2023 FCA 148: appeal of motion to stay copyright infringement proceedings in favour of arbitration (counsel for GEM)
  • Bell Canada v Copyright Collective of Canada, 2021 FCA 148: judicial review proceedings related to Copyright Board retransmission tariff (counsel for CCC)
  • P.S. Knight Co. Ltd. v Canadian Standards Association, 2018 FCA 222: acted for respondent in appeal concerning various copyright issues (counsel for CSA)
  • Philip Morris Products S.A. v Marlboro Canada Limited, 2016 FCA 55: appeal concerning entitlement to accounting of profits in a novel trademark infringement case (counsel for Philip Morris)
  • Philip Morris Products S.A. v Marlboro Canada Limited, 2015 FCA 9: appeal from a decision regarding trial costs (counsel for Philip Morris)

Trademarks Opposition Board:

  • Garmin Switzerland GmbH v Vivo Mobile Communications Ltd., 2023 TMOB 172 : successful opposition to confusingly similar trademark applications (counsel for Garmin)
  • JTH Tax LLC v H&R Block Canada, Inc., 2023 TMOB 138: successful defence of opposition based on confusion grounds (counsel for H&R Block)
  • BioSyent Pharma Inc. v Shield TX (UK) Limited, 2022 TMOB 162: successful defence of opposition based on confusion grounds (counsel for Shield TX)
  • Moffat & Co. v 2008474 Ontario Inc., 2022 TMOB 167: successful defence of non-use cancellation proceedings (counsel for 2008474 Ontario)
  • Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP v Saucony UK, Inc., 2022 TMOB 44: successful prosecution of non-use cancellation proceedings
  • Jensen & Company v NSE Products, Inc., 2021 TMOB 236: successful defence of non-use cancellation proceedings (counsel for NSE)
  • Garmin Switzerland GmbH v Vivo Mobile Communication Co. Ltd., 2021 TMOB 34: successful opposition to confusingly similar trademark application (counsel for Garmin)
  • NSE Products, Inc. v Svelte LLC, 2021 TMOB 32: successful opposition to confusingly similar trademark application (counsel for NSE)
  • Iboss, Inc. v Waystream AB, 2020 TMOB 81: successful defence of non-use cancellation proceedings (counsel for Waystream)
  • Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. v Imperial Tobacco Products Limited, 2019 TMOB 26 and 2019 TMOB 24: successful oppositions to colour marks on non-distinctiveness and other grounds (counsel for Rothmans)
  • Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. v Player's Company Inc., 2018 TMOB 145: successful oppositions to distinguishing guise applications on grounds of functionality and non-distinctiveness (counsel for Rothmans)
  • Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP v Netlease Inc., 2018 TMOB 33: successful prosecution of non-use cancellation proceeding (counsel for requesting party)
  • Portage World-Wide, Inc. v Croton Watch Co., Inc., 2017 TMOB 96: successful defence of non-use cancellation proceeding (counsel for registered owner)
  • Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP v Liwayway Marketing Corporation, 2015 TMOB 193, 194, 195, and 196: successful prosecution of non-use cancellation proceedings (counsel for requesting party)
  • Sally Beauty International, Inc. v ADA International Beauty Inc., 2015 TMOB 38: successful opposition to confusingly similar trademark application (counsel for Sally Beauty)
  • Forest Stewardship Council, A.C. v G.H. Imported Merchandise & Sales Limited, 2014 TMOB 99 and 2014 TMOB 100: successful defences of trademark applications in opposition proceedings (counsel for G.H. Imported Merchandise)

Domain Name Disputes:

  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board v Gregory Dickson (CDRP domain name proceedings): obtained transfer of domain name use in attempted fraud (counsel for WSIB)
  • Magna International Inc. v. Contact Privacy Inc. (UDRP domain name proceedings): obtained transfer of domain names used in attempted fraud (counsel for Magna)
  • Sobeys Capital Incorporated v Private by Design LLC (UDRP domain name proceedings): obtained transfer of domain names used in attempted fraud (counsel for Sobeys)
  • Magna International Inc. v Roger Wells and William Green (UDRP domain name proceedings): obtained transfer of domain names used in attempted fraud (counsel for Magna)
  • Huron Consulting Group, Inc. v Martine Colas (CDRP domain name proceeding): obtained transfer of domain name used in attempted fraud (counsel for Huron Consulting)
  • Magna International Inc. v Unknown (CDRP domain name proceeding): obtained transfer of domain name used in attempted fraud (counsel for Magna)
  • Magna International Inc. v Victor Silva (UDRP and CDRP domain name proceedings): obtained transfer of domain names held by cybersquatter (counsel for Magna)
  • Magna International Inc. v Mustafa Mashari (UDRP domain name proceeding): obtained transfer of domain name used in attempted phishing scam (counsel for Magna)