For entrepreneurs and growing businesses, establishing a clear and recognizable presence in the marketplace is essential. One of the first steps in building a brand is selecting and protecting the right name.   This often involves choosing a corporate or business name, registering a trade name, securing a domain name, and where appropriate, obtaining trademark protection.   Although these concepts are closely related and may overlap, each serves a distinct legal and commercia

Before adopting a trademark, businesses and brands need to determine whether the mark is available for use and is protectable. That is where trademark clearance searches come into play. Clients often overlook the necessity of these searches and use marks in association with certain goods or services without conducting a proper clearance search beforehand. It puts businesses at risk of infringing upon another’s rights and could lead to potential litigation. Trademark searches

Lawyers and businesses have long awaited an update to Ontario’s antiquated business filing system. It has never been more true since most people now work remotely, and documents are signed and filed electronically. The new Ontario Business Registry has officially launched. Up until this point, Ontario remained one of the few provinces that did not accept electronic filings without the use of third-party service providers. As of October 19, 2021, more than 90 transactions may