Our Quality Management System is built on a culture of service excellence.
At the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), we monitor the quality of our patent products by focusing on three key objectives: quality, timeliness and efficiency.
Patent Quality Policy
The CIPO Patent Branch is committed to ensuring a consistent client experience that delivers quality patent products and services in an efficient and timely manner, creating certainty in the marketplace and stimulating innovation.
Our Quality Management System ensures:
- That our quality objectives are met;
- That national products and services adhere to the requirements of the Patent Act and Rules;
- That international products and services adhere to the Patent Cooperation Treaty and Regulations;
- A better understanding of clients' needs and expectations; and
- Continual improvement of our processes to meet expectations on quality, cost and timeliness.
Responsible management of the quality management system assures oversight, strategic direction and stewardship fostering a culture of excellence, inclusiveness, employee engagement and development.
Patent quality metrics
The latest patent quality statistics from CIPO, including metrics on search recording, pendency, and applicant feedback.
News and events
March 27, 2023 – ISO 9001:2015: Patent Branch has successfully renewed its certification for a second time!
CIPO's Patent Branch was successful in their second ISO recertification audit in March 2023, thereby maintaining its ISO certification and further demonstrating its commitment to continually improving its Quality Management System (QMS). By maintaining this certification, CIPO's Patent Branch has demonstrated to an independent third party that we continue to have an operational and effective QMS that meets the requirements of this international standard. ISO 9001:2015 defines standard criteria for a QMS based on the principles of consistency in meeting customer requirements and continuous enhancement of quality.
This certification positions Canada as a global player by placing us amongst other certified intellectual property offices, such as the European Patent Office (EPO) and IP Australia. Maintaining this internationally recognized standard sends an important message to our clients and stakeholders of our commitment to the quality of the Canadian patent system. Further, adherence to ISO standards facilitates CIPO's strategic goal of delivering quality and timely IP rights.
March 31, 2020 - ISO 9001:2015: Patent Branch Re-Certified!
CIPO's Patent Branch was successful in their ISO recertification audit in March 2020, thereby maintaining its ISO certification and further demonstrating its commitment to continually improving its Quality Management System (QMS). By maintaining this certification, CIPO's Patent Branch has demonstrated to an independent third party that we continue to have an operational and effective QMS that meets the requirements of this international standard. ISO 9001:2015 defines standard criteria for a QMS based on the principles of consistency in meeting customer requirements and continuous enhancement of quality.
This certification positions Canada as a global player by placing us amongst other certified intellectual property offices, such as the European Patent Office (EPO) and IP Australia. Maintaining this internationally recognized standard sends an important message to our clients and stakeholders of our commitment to the quality of the Canadian patent system. Further, adherence to ISO standards facilitates CIPO's strategic goal of delivering quality and timely IP rights.
January – April 2019 - CIPO Patent Quality conversations
The purpose of these conversations is to engage and collaborate with our stakeholders in an effort to continually improve the quality of our patent products, processes and services.
- January 22 & 24, 2019 - Patent Quality Overview and Upcoming CIPO Patent Quality Summit
- April 16 & 17, 2019 - CIPO Patent Quality Summit: Summary and Next Steps
February 26, 2019 - CIPO Patent Quality Summit
The purpose of this Summit is to engage and collaborate with our stakeholders in an effort to continually improve the quality of our patent products, processes and services.
Patent examination quality standards
As part of the Quality Management System implementation initiative, standards are defined for both international and national examination of patent applications. Based on the needs and expectations of internal and external stakeholders as well as the patent regulations, these standards define quality and provide a level of performance that all employees are encouraged to achieve.