CPATA’s 2022 Annual Report is now available online.
The College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents (CPATA) came into force in June 2021 as Canada’s independent public interest regulator of patent agents and trademark agents. We ensure that innovators and creators have access to intellectual property services from competent and ethical practitioners.
In 2022, CPATA balanced daily operations with start-up initiatives and large-scale projects, always ensuring that our efforts remained focused on the public interest. Still a young regulator, our priority was working towards establishing systems to achieve regulatory excellence.
Key accomplishments
- Established technical competency profiles for patent agents and trademark agents
- Ensured that all Class 1 active and Class 3 agent-in-training licensees had adequate professional liability insurance
- Surveyed over 500 licensees to obtain key data about the state of Canada’s IP profession
- Made improvements to and administered the 2022 qualifying examinations
- Educated licensees on their professional and ethical obligations
- Responded fairly and efficiently to concerns about agent behaviour
- Started a research project on pathways to licensure
- Worked on amendments to the CPATA Act and By-laws
- Welcomed newly elected and appointed directors to the Board and hired a permanent CEO
- Conducted the second annual licence renewal process
As CPATA looks ahead to 2023, we will continue developing and implementing a world-class regulatory framework that will contribute to Canada’s economic strength on the world stage.