With the likely adoption of Bill C-8 (Combating Counterfeit Products Act) and the new regulations for the agent exams that were published in the Canada Gazette, there will be changes to the legislative and regulatory framework for IP in 2014. Members of IPIC Council will explain these as well as other potential changes on the horizon due to the trade agreement with the European Union. They will also provide an update on IPIC’s advocacy initiatives.
Speakers:
- Jeffrey Astle (President of IPIC), Pratt & Whitney Canada
- Stephen Perry (Member of Council), Perry+Currier
- Justine Wiebe (Member of Council), Borden Ladner Gervais
- Michel Gérin (Executive Director), IPIC
Jeffrey Astle, President
Jeffrey is Intellectual Property Counsel for Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (“P&WC”) based at the company’s head office near Montréal. Jeff joined P&WC in 1994, moving in-house from a Toronto firm specializing in IP law. His practice focuses on providing legal and business advice on all IP and technology related legal matters for his clients in its high technology aerospace business. Jeff is a registered patent agent and trade-mark agent, is called to the Bar of Ontario, and is registered to practice as corporate counsel by the Barreau of Québec. He holds a B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. in chemical engineering.
Stephen Perry, Councillor
Stephen is a co-founder with Andrew Currier of PCK, which is an IP practice that comprises two firms: Perry+Currier Inc., a patent and trade-mark agency, and Currier+Kao LLP, a law firm. Stephen has a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University and is a professional engineer for the province of Ontario. His practice is focused on developing and managing international IP portfolios for Canadian technology companies of every size. Stephen is a past chair and current vice-chair of the Joint Liaison Committee—Industrial Designs, Stephen also currently serves on Council of the Canadian section of FICPI.
Justine Wiebe, Councillor
Justine is a Partner and regional IP Practice Group Leader at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. As a lawyer and registered trade-mark agent, Justine specializes in the clearance, registration, and licensing of trade-marks, and the enforcement of trade-mark rights through opposition and cancellation proceedings and negotiating settlement agreements. Justine has extensive experience with non-traditional marks and pharmaceutical marks, and the management of international trade-mark portfolios. Justine is past Chair of the IPIC International Trade-mark Issues Committee and is actively involved with INTA and MARQUES.
Michel Gérin, Executive Director
Michel has been executive director of IPIC since 2001. Working with seven other employees, his role includes managing the resources of IPIC, strategic planning, advocacy, support to Council and a number of committees, and member and public relations. He previously was Director of strategic planning in the New Media department of CBC∕Radio-Canada. Michel holds a B.Com and an MBA.
