Matthew M. Roy

Matthew is a partner in Gowling WLG's Intellectual Property Group, based in the firm's Ottawa and Montréal offices, and head of the Intellectual Property group in Montreal. His practice focuses on patents and industrial designs — with an emphasis on mechanical, electrical, optical and software technologies.

Fluent in both English and French, Matthew has nearly two decades of experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in Canada, the United States and abroad, as well as under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). He complements this with significant experience preparing and prosecuting industrial design applications in Canada and abroad.

Having earned both a bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, Matthew possesses a nuanced understanding of his clients' intellectual property challenges and ambitions. Harnessing this knowledge, he helps companies navigate crowded and dynamic fields of technology, while offering pragmatic and creative advice on all aspects of patent and design law, including: patent searching, patentability opinions, freedom-to-operate opinions, design-around analyses to circumvent competitors' patents, infringement opinions and validity opinions.

He also counsels clients on patent licensing and intellectual property transactions, technology transfers, non-disclosure agreements, as well as issues relating to the enforcement of patent and design rights.

Over the course of his career, Matthew has worked closely with a number leading innovators — ranging from large multinationals to small startups — representing a breadth of diverse sectors, including telecommunications, software, transportation, mining, manufacturing, energy, agriculture and quantum computing.

After completing his master of engineering degree at McGill University, Matthew went on to obtain a bachelor of common law degree and a bachelor of civil law degree — also from McGill. He has been licensed to practice law in the province of Ontario since 2003, and he has been a registered patent agent in Canada since 2000. He is also registered to practise on behalf of Canadian residents before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.