Copyright & Industrial Designs

Dimock Stratton's lawyers have extensive experience advising clients on all aspects of copyright law. Our clients include both creators and users of copyrighted works ranging from fine art to architectural works to software and news feeds.

We advise on, draft, and negotiate contracts not only for traditional media and formats such as books, magazines, film and television, but also for digital works, websites, and telecommunications. Our lawyers also advise on the utilization of copyrighted works and the scope of fair dealing, enforcement of copyright, and the importation of copyrighted works. As methods of digital publication and distribution have evolved, our lawyers keep abreast of developments in legislation, safeguards, and licensing, including digital rights management, open source licensing, and exploitation of user-generated content. 

Our lawyers also advise on moral rights and neighbouring rights, such as performers' rights. 

We provide agency services in the procurement of industrial design registrations, including:

• drafting, filing, and prosecuting Canadian industrial design applications

• clearance (non-infringement) opinions

• registrability, infringement, and validity opinions

• industrial design registration and prior art searches

• strategic advice on domestic and global design protection

• drafting and negotiating licences and other agreements

• due diligence reviews of industrial design portfolios for commercial transactions