Is Your Brand as Protected as Your Code? Canadian Trademark Basics for Tech Companies

In the high-tech industry, your brand is often worth more than your product. Think of the most valuable tech companies: their names, logos, and slogans carry enormous commercial weight, as they are what is recognized by consumers. Trademark registration is the legal foundation of that brand value.

What Can You Trademark in Canada?

Under the Canadian Trademarks Act, you can register words, logos, slogans, sounds, holograms, colours, and even distinctive packaging. For tech companies, this commonly includes your product name(s), app icon, SaaS platform name, and company tagline.

A registered Canadian trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your mark across Canada in association with your goods or services, and the right to sue infringers in Federal Court (although we hope to settle long before then!).

What Are Common Trademark Mistakes in the Tech Field?

•       Launching a product name without a trademark clearance search

•       Assuming a registered corporation name = trademark rights (spoiler: it does not)

•       Forgetting to register a trademark internationally before entering the U.S. or EU markets

•       Allowing a trademark to become generic through misuse, sometimes even through your own use

How Long Do Trademarks Last?

Unlike patents, Canadian trademark registrations are renewable indefinitely every 10 years, as long as you continue using the mark in commerce.

For tech brands with long product lifecycles, or otherwise building recognizable platforms which support various evolving products, this makes trademark registration one of the highest-return IP investments available.

Protect your brand before a competitor does.

Reach out for an introductory trademark consultation today.

Just like you, we use tech to enhance our outputs. Any AI-contributions were reviewed by a Registered Canadian Patent and/or Trademark Agent.