Become a Client - IP Innovation Clinic

As a pro bono IP clinic committed to improving access to justice for under-resourced inventors and entrepreneurs, the IP Innovation Clinic operates year-round and has a rolling intake process.

Step 1: Intake

Complete the Intake Form here.

Meet with IP Innovation Clinic for an introductory IP session where you can receive initial answers to your IP-related questions and more information about how the IP Innovation Clinic can assist you and or team can learn more about what your venture and determine if/how we can assist.

Step 2: Match with a Clinic Fellow and Lawyer

Conflict check is completed by supervising lawyer/law firm.

You will be assigned a Clinic Fellow and supervising lawyer based on the subject matter, fit and availability.

Engagement letter is signed between the client and the IP Innovation Clinic.

Step 3: Build Work Plan

IP Session and planning meeting held so that Clinic Fellow(s) and supervising lawyer(s) can establish a tailored workplan based on your needs

Client approves Work Plan and pays the $50 administrative fee.**Fee is waived for York community members (eg. York faculty, researchers, students, members of York programs, such as YSpace, etc.)

Step 4: Begin Work

Students complete work product(s) based on work plan(s). Work is reviewed and approved by the supervising lawyer(s).

The Student Fellow will be your main point of contact throughout the life cycle.

Following delivery of work product(s), a follow up meeting is generally held.

Step 5: Close File

File closed or additional work is identified.

When your file is closed, clients will receive an exit survey as well as any available external materials or references and you are welcome to reconnect for additional assistance in the future.

Get Started Today!

Complete the IP Innovation Clinic Pre-Intake Questionnaire

For more information please email us at ipinnovationclinic@osgoode.yorku.ca

Online Here

Our Services Include

Clinic Fellows and the supervising lawyer can provide you with a strategic IP session, which will identify relevant IP and issues facing your business and the next steps needed to protect your assets. The IP session may also provide best practice guidelines and information surrounding your general freedom-to-operate.

Clinic Fellows can perform a patent and/or prior art search, which will provide you with information about whether your invention may meet the criteria for patentability.

Clinic Fellows can perform a trademark search, which will provide you with information about whether your mark meets the criteria for securing a trademark registration.

Other tasks as approved and supervised by the supervising lawyer

In certain cases the supervising lawyer may assign IP-related tasks to the Clinic Fellows other than those listed above. Please note that this depends on the complexity of your matter(s), whether the Clinic Fellows can properly perform the task, and whether the supervising lawyer is able to oversee and review their work.

These may include:

Application drafting and/or review, where possible.
Agreement -related assistance (e.g. non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), internal processes and agreements, contractor, licenses and assignments, etc.)

IP Innovation Clinic
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, 4700 Keele Street Toronto, On, M3J1P3

ipinnovationclinic@osgoode.yorku.ca | 437-925-3821