Canadian Patent Office Notice Re Small Entity Declarations

The Canadian Patent Office has clarified the rules regarding a "small entity", that is, an entity with less than 50 employees, which has not licensed or given as security its rights to the patent in question. The Patent Office is confirming the entity status of all patentees and applicants by requiring that any fees paid at a small entity rate after June 2, 2007 be accompanied by a small entity declaration, if one is not already on file. A failure to submit a small entity declaration in this circumstance may lead to abandonment. Since the definition of small entity changed recently, the Patent Office is encouraging those with a small entity declaration on file to review the previously filed declaration and ensure that it encompasses the current definition, or simply file a new one. For more information, visit: http://www.ic.gc.ca/cipo/patgazarc.nsf/curEd-e?OpenForm&10/16/2007 Summary by: James Kosa