Gowling WLG is delighted to announce that its Canadian Intellectual Property Group has been recognized in four categories at the Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) Americas Awards 2020.

The firm won the award for Canadian "Firm of the Year" in the Trademark Prosecution category and received two prestigious "Impact Case of the Year" awards for its role in Canmar Foods Ltd. v. TA Foods Ltd. (2019 FC 1233) and Canada (Attorney General) v. Galderma Canada Inc. (2019 FCA 196).

Patrick Smith was lead counsel for the defendant in Canmar Foods Ltd. v. TA Foods Ltd., the first case in which a Canadian court had interpreted the file wrapper estoppel rule that was added to Canada's Patent Act in December 2018. For the first time in over a decade, the federal court summarily dismissed a patent infringement action. This precedential ruling provides defendants with a viable procedure to inexpensively dismiss meritless patent actions.

Malcolm Ruby served as the lead counsel for the Respondent in Canada (Attorney General) v. Galderma Canada Inc., supported by Scott Jolliffe and Charlotte McDonald. This was first FCA decision since 1996 to reconsider which medicines fall within the jurisdiction of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. The FCA accepted the legal arguments of the Respondent, held the Board's initial decision was erroneous and unreasonable, and sent the matter back to the Board for reconsideration.

In addition to the firm's accolades, Robert MacDonald, co-leader of Gowling WLG's global IP Group, was honoured with the esteemed MIP 'Lifetime Achievement' award for his career-long contributions to and accomplishments in IP law. For more information about Rob's award win, click here.

Presented annually by MIP, one of the world's foremost IP publications, the awards distinguish the leading IP firms and practitioners across North and South America. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this year's award ceremony in New York City was cancelled. MIP has published the full list of winners on its website.

MIP's recognition of the firm follows a string of recent successes for Gowling WLG's IP team. Earlier this month, Gowling WLG was named "Russia - Trademark Firm of the Year" and "UK Design Firm of the Year" at the MIP EMEA Awards 2020.

About Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG is a full-service firm comprised of 1,400 professionals with strength across all areas of business law and litigation. With leading IP practices in Canada, the UK and Europe, Russia, China, the UAE and Singapore, and a network of trusted agents worldwide, we help IP owners overcome complex obstacles and optimize new opportunities - wherever business takes them. Learn more about our global IP team