Alternative formats
Patent | Trade secret | Industrial design | Trademark | Copyright | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coverage | New, useful and non-obvious invention | Invention, business information | Visual features of a product | Source of goods or services | Original literary, artistic, musical or dramatic work |
Scope (examples) |
Product, process, machine, chemical composition, use | Business method, invention, recipe, manufacturing process | Shape, configuration, pattern or ornament, or any combination of these features | Word, design, taste, texture, moving image, mode of packaging, hologram, sound, scent, 3-dimensional shape or colour, or a combination of these features | Software, sound recording, photograph, painting, web content, communication signal |
Rights | Exclude others from using, making or selling your invention | No formal rights (contractual obligations) | Exclude others from making, using, selling or importing something that uses your design | Prevent others from using your trademark | Prevent others from reproducing your original work |
LocationFootnote * | Canada | Worldwide | Canada | Canada | Worldwide |
Duration | Up to 20 years from date of filing | As long as confidentiality is maintained | Up to 15 years from date of filing | 10 years (renewable) | Life of creator + 70 years (in general) |
Disclosure grace period | 12 months | No disclosure | 12 months | Not applicable | Not applicable (automatic rights) |
2020
Aussi offert en français sous le titre La propriété intellectuelle au Canada.