About Bereskin & Parr

Bereskin & Parr LLP is a leading Canadian intellectual property (IP) law firm serving clients of all sizes, in a variety of industries, both domestic and international. The firm was founded in 1965 and has grown to be one of the largest IP law firms in Canada and serves clients in over 100 countries. Our offices are located in major economic or technology centres: Toronto, Mississauga, Waterloo Region, and Montréal. Bereskin & Parr is made up of over 70 lawyers, patent and trademark agents, many of whom are recognized as leading practitioners in their respective fields. The firm's practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property, and has the following practice groups:

People

Our professionals' backgrounds are as diverse as our clients. Bereskin & Parr lawyers and agents have educational backgrounds ranging from dramatic arts to computer science. Many of our professionals have backgrounds in civil, mechanical, electrical, computer, and nuclear engineering; immunology; chemistry; biology; genetics; and physics. The combination of these technical qualifications with industry knowledge, as well as in-depth patent and trademark law training and experience, allows us to offer a full range of intellectual property services while also being sensitive to practical business needs and concerns.

Our firm and professionals are consistently recognized as being national and global leaders in the IP field by publications such as the Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers – Best of the Best, Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, PLC Which lawyer?, Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada, and The Best Lawyers in Canada.

Also, many Bereskin & Parr professionals have held prominent and respected positions within the IP community, such as: member of the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) Board of Directors, President of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC), President of the Canadian Association of The International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI Canada), President of the Canadian Group of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), and member of the Canadian Patent Agents Examining Board.

Bereskin & Parr professionals are frequent speakers at intellectual property-related seminars and conferences around the world. We write articles for well-known legal and industry publications and contribute to leading texts on IP law. Several of our professionals have lectured on intellectual property issues at law faculties of Canadian universities.

Our professionals are privileged to be supported by dedicated and experienced staff, who help to ensure that our work is always accurate and timely.

Clients

Bereskin & Parr's direct clients range from small start-up operations and individual inventors to large Canadian and multi-national corporations, including Fortune 500 companies and some of the biggest intellectual property rights owners in the world. We serve all of the IP needs of these clients, including managing their worldwide trademark and patent portfolios. The firm also represents universities, hospitals, and research facilities, which have complex, cutting-edge scientific and technological inventions.

Our clients' businesses include: computer hardware and software; engineering and manufacturing equipment; biomedical, biotech and pharmaceutical innovations; agricultural inventions; telecommunications; retail services; clothing; food and a full range of consumer goods.

The firm's global reputation and strong commitment to customer service have also allowed us to establish trusted relationships with leading foreign law firms around the world.

Services

Patents: The firm's patent practice is made up of professionals proficient at drafting and prosecuting patent applications and securing design patents. Our patent professionals can also provide advice and assistance on licensing, tech-transfer, transactions, due diligence, portfolio management and freedom to operate matters. The practice is broken up into specialized groups of highly-skilled professionals with the appropriate education and experience required to best manage and protect our clients’ IP. Our patent groups are: Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical, Software/High Technology, Mechanical/Industrial, Chemical, Automotive and Clean Tech.

Trademarks: Bereskin & Parr's trademark practice covers all aspects of trademark law including, searching, clearing, filing, registering, negotiating, licensing and litigating marks. These same services also extend to trade names, trade dress, and domain names. New media/Copyright: Professionals in this practice group protect Internet and e-commerce-related trademarks and copyright, handle domain name protection and related disputes, and advise on the protection of copyright and other entertainment-related IP rights.

Regulatory, Advertising & Marketing: Bereskin & Parr's regulatory, advertising & marketing practice encompasses all IP issues arising from the marketing of a product. Professionals in this group provide packaging and labeling advice, conduct Internet reviews, and counsel on matters governed by privacy or consumer protection legislation and regulatory agencies.

Litigation: Bereskin & Parr's litigation team has represented clients in some of Canada's most important intellectual property cases. The firm's professionals have appeared in courts across Canada from Provincial Courts and Courts of Appeal, to the Supreme Court of Canada. Before commencing any litigation, we carefully review all options available to the client, including negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. When litigation is necessary, we carefully plan the strategy with the client, and always treat the client as an essential member of the litigation team.

Licensing and Transactions: Professionals in this group prepare well-drafted agreements that protect intellectual property assets, to ensure successful business relationships with collaborators, business partners, employees, independent contractors, suppliers, investors, buyers or sellers. Members of this group structure the deal that best protects our clients' business interests around the world.