About IP Osgoode

IP Osgoode is an independent voice that explores legal governance issues at the intersection of intellectual property (IP) and technology. The program’s researchers, collaborators, and students actively engage in some of the most important and cutting-edge IP law and technology related research and policy discussions of today.


Latest from IPilogue

Commentary and analysis on the latest developments in intellectual property, technology and privacy, featuring curated contributions from students, scholars, and experts within the Osgoode community.

CBC’s “Ici” Rebranding Turns From PR Debacle to Legal One

Jul 16, 2013 1 min read
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CBC’s ill-fated “Ici” re-branding may be getting clawed back, but that’s not stopping Radio-Canada from seeking a trade-mark expungement against current broadcaster and “Ici” trade-mark holder, Sam Nozouri.

Will Ultramercial Patent Set Up an Ultra Supreme Court Appeal?

Jul 11, 2013 1 min read
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In late June, the Federal Circuit again decided Ultramercial v Hulu - a case brought by Ultramercial claiming infringement of their patent for serving online media preceded by advertising. Ultramercial's patent has been widely criticized by many commentators who view the patent as one describing an abstract concept, and believe the decision is destined for a Supreme Court appeal.

The UK Intellectual Property Office on the Impact of Lookalikes

Jul 11, 2013 1 min read
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On May 31st, 2013 the UK Intellectual Property Office (“IPO”) released a report on its research into the “Impact of Lookalikes: Similar Packaging and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods”. The issue of lookalikes is a politically “hot” one in both the UK and the EU, as there is pressure from brand owners who seek more effective protection […]

Will I Am: Pharrell Williams and Will.i.am In Trade-Mark Dispute

Jul 11, 2013 1 min read
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Pharrell may currently hold the #1 and #2 spots on Billboard’s Hot 100, but in the past few weeks, he made headlines due to his ongoing trade-mark dispute with Will.i.am (coincidentally, the last band to hold both the #1 and #2 spots was Will.i.am's band, The Black Eyed Peas).

CIPO Examination Practice Respecting Purposive Construction: A Marked Deviation From Whirlpool and Free World Trust

Jul 10, 2013 1 min read
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On November 24, 2011, the Federal Court of Appeal released its decision for Amazon.com, Inc. v. The Commissioner of Patents, 2011 FCA 328.  This case related to patent application 2,246,933 filed by Amazon.com, Inc. entitled “Method and System For Placing A Purchase Order Via A Communications Network”. Popularly known as the “one-click shopping cart” case, […]

Technological Neutrality: (Pre)Serving the Purposes of Copyright Law

Jul 4, 2013 1 min read
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In the realm of law, neutrality is widely hailed as a fundamental principle of fairness, justice and equity; it is also, however, widely criticized as a myth that too often obscures the inevitable reality of perspective, interest or agenda. It should come as little surprise, then, that the principle of technological neutrality, recently employed by […]

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