As a pro bono IP legal 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.
IP Innovation Clinic staff members will pre-screen potential clients to ensure that they will benefit from Clinic assistance and do not have the financial resources necessary to hire professional counsel. This process includes the completion of a background questionnaire and pre-intake call with a Clinic Staff Member.
Following the pre-intake process and the completion of a legal conflict check, selected clients will hold an IP commercialization consultation call. During the consultation intake call, the supervising lawyer and Clinic Fellows will work with the client to determine an agreed upon work plan. Our team creates tailored work plans for each client based on their needs and stage of business development.
If accepted into the Clinic following the consultation call, clients will be asked to sign an engagement agreement. The work of our Clinic Fellows is pro bono aside from a $50 administrative fee, which is due following the client formally engaging the Clinic.
Complete the IP Innovation Clinic Pre-Intake Questionnaire
For more information please email us at ipinnovationclinic@osgoode.yorku.ca
Clinic Services may include:
Initial IP information and assistance
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.
Patent and/or Prior Art Search(es)
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.
High-level IP strategy assistance
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Trademark Search(es)
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 are able to properly perform the task, and whether the supervising lawyer is able to oversee and review their work.
These may include:
- Agreement review (internal, contractor, license, etc.)
- Application drafting and/or review
IP Innovation Clinic Staff and Fellows do not provide legal advice.
Clinic Fellows work under the supervision of practicing lawyers to provide IP information to our clients.
The Clinic operates in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations of the Law Society of Ontario.
The IP Innovation Clinic operates in collaboration with:
Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation (VPRI)
The IP Innovation Clinic receives financial support from:
For all inquiries, we can be reached here:
IP Innovation Clinic
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON M3J1P3
ipinnovationclinic@osgoode.yorku.ca
437-925-3821