The Patent Branch is responsible for the patent granting process in Canada. The Patent Branch:
- receives, classifies, examines and processes Canadian national patent applications
- grants patents
- registers transfers of patent applications and patent ownership
- collects fees
- makes sure the technical data underlying patent applications and patented inventions are made available to the public
- receives Patent Cooperation Treaty international applications from Canadian applicants
- produces international search reports, written opinions and international preliminary reports on patentability