Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, in conjunction with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), have extended the consultation on a proposed governance framework for the IP profession until August 31, 2016. The consultation builds on CIPO’s Modernizing the IP Community report, which resulted in the development of a new statutory protection for confidential communications between IP agents and their clients.
The consultation solicits feedback on a draft code of conduct, three possible governance models and the disciplinary process to be administered by a regulator. The three possible governance models include an administrative agency model; a mixed-model; and a self-regulatory model. The consultation for the draft code of conduct was initially scheduled to conclude on June 13, 2016 (see “Patent and Trademark Agent Regulatory Framework Consultation”, E-TIPS® Newsletter, Vol 14, No 26, July 13, 2016).
The consultation announcement and draft documents are available here.