Intellectual Property
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February 12, 2026
‘Distemper of our times’ calls for judges to balance restraint with principled ‘bold action’: CJ Joyal
“Bold” but “properly calibrated” judicial action, rather than reflexive judicial reticence and reserve, is sometimes necessary to preserve public confidence in the justice system — a confidence on which the foundational principle of judicial independence depends, says Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal.
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February 12, 2026
Ontario Court of Appeal calling for papers to honour late Justice Bertha Wilson
The Ontario Court of Appeal is calling for papers to mark the 50th anniversary of the late Bertha Wilson’s appointment to the court as part of a symposium honouring the woman who went on to become Canada’s first female Supreme Court justice.
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February 09, 2026
Drip pricing and misleading representations: Lessons from Cineplex v. Commissioner of Competition
Generally, advertising law in Canada is governed by the federal Competition Act. The purpose of the Act is to maintain and encourage competition in Canada to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy. The provisions of the Act directed at misleading representations aim to improve the quality and accuracy of marketplace information and discourage deceptive marketing practices.
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February 06, 2026
Fasken welcomes lawyer to its Canada, U.K. offices
This week, Fasken announced that Timothy St. John Ellam, K.C., has joined the firm as senior counsel in the litigation and dispute resolution group.
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February 04, 2026
Alberta seeking greater role in judicial appointments, threatens to withhold funding for judges
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is asking the federal government for a greater say in judicial appointments and has threatened to withdraw funding to support any new judicial appointments in the province unless a more collaborative process is set up. In an open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Smith also said Ottawa needs to relax bilingualism requirements for judicial appointments “that do not reflect Canada’s broader linguistic diversity in Western Canada and alienates Albertans and western Canadians alike.”
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February 04, 2026
Marks & Clerk promotes Vekris, Smith and Young in Canada
Marks & Clerk has promoted three members of its Canadian team across its patents and trademarks practices, effective Feb. 1, 2026. Evangellos Vekris and Justin Smith have been named partners, while Shannon Young has been promoted to principal.
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February 02, 2026
Federal Court confirms the importance of inherent distinctiveness in trademark confusion
A decision of the Federal Court confirms that a lack of inherent distinctiveness was the most important element in determining whether the marks in issue were confusing (996660 Ontario Ltd. v. Falesca Importing Ltd., 2026 FC 114).
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January 30, 2026
Ontario court orders new law licence review for man who admitted to sexually abusing children
Ontario’s top court has ordered a new law licence assessment for a man who admitted to the sexual abuse of children, saying a fresh look is required to determine whether he is of the “good character” required of a lawyer.
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January 29, 2026
Davies welcomes partner Nikita Stepin to its technology practice
Nikita Stepin has joined Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP as a partner in the firm’s technology group.
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January 28, 2026
Goodmans announces 4 new partners
Goodmans LLP has named Larissa Fulop, Owen Gaffney, Christina Liao and Jaclyn Tilak as partners.