The De Grandpré Edge

To grow and prosper in our fiercely competitive world, a business must possess two key motors: THE FORCE OF REPUTATION and THE SPIRIT OF INNOVATION. The gears which turn these motors are the business’s brands, designs, copyrights, know-how, trade secrets and patents. At De Grandpré Chait, we ensure that these “gears” are in place, are meshing well and are enhancing the reputation and innovation of the client.

We pay close attention to our client’s business goals. Our clients constantly weigh the benefits against the costs in making decisions and appreciate that we do the same. Aiming for perfection is not always worth the cost. We will often present our clients with an option which leads to an 80% level of protection or gain but with only a 50% level of cost. We also know that clients appreciate clear estimates and budgets. And we look regularly for avenues that lead to shorter delays, lower costs and speedier settlements.

As part of a full-service firm, members of the IP Group work seamlessly with professionals in other practice groups to bring a wide-angle perspective to our client’s needs. We keep our focus on the big picture.


Our Expertise

Members of De Grandpré Chait’s IP Group participate actively (as members and executives) in a wide variety of IP associations- ensuring we stay attuned to emerging developments in technology and business models. And ensuring we keep abreast of how the courts, politicians and international bodies are dealing with these developments. From this participation the IP Group has developed a worldwide network of contacts, allowing us to choose the right professional for our clients’ needs outside Canada. These IP associations include the:

• International Trademark Association (INTA)
• Canadian Bar Association (CBA) – IP law branch
• Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)
• Fédération de l’informatique du Québec (FIQ) – (Québec Computer Federation)
• Canadian IT Law Association (IT.Can)

Lawyers in the IP Group are often asked to be speakers at meetings and conferences of IP and other professionals, such as: IPIC, INTA, the Canadian Institute, the Canadian Franchise Expo, the Canadian IT Law Association, and ISPI, the International Society for Performance Improvement. Our IP lawyers are often instructors in IP courses and publish extensively, including articles in peer-reviewed publications. Several members of our Group also participate actively as members and executives in business associations and community groups, including (for example) the:

• Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal (CCMIM)
• Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals (Québec)
• Jewish National Fund of Canada

There is no better way to understand clients’ expectations than to have been a client. Some members of our Group have previously served as General Counsel or as a senior executive in public and private companies. The valuable lessons learned have been integrated into the workings of our IP Group.


Our Clients

We represent many entrepreneur and family-owned businesses. We also work for publicly-traded companies, domestic and foreign, with large IP portfolios in Canada and worldwide.

Montréal is the hub of many of Canada’s leading manufacturing and retail businesses in areas such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, apparel, sporting equipment, entertainment, toys and games and advertising. Clients of De Grandpré Chait’s IP Group include businesses in all of these fields.

In an age of reduced market barriers and internet outreach, the growth of grey-marketing and internet advertising and e-commerce have changed how the marketplace works. Many clients look to our IP professionals for advice in these areas.


Our Practice Areas

Registrations of trade-marks, domain names, copyrights and industrial designs.

Opinions on freedom to operate and infringement; privacy and publicity rights; and application of La Charte de la langue française (Charter of the French Language) etc.

Agreements license, franchise, research and development, website creation and management, joint venture, software development, marketing, distribution, non-disclosure etc.

Litigation and other dispute resolution avenues involving: trade-marks, domain names, copyrights, industrial designs, patents, publicity rights, privacy rights, and trade secrets. We act before courts at all levels and specialized boards (e.g. the Trade-marks Opposition Board). We have experience in obtaining special remedies such as injunctions, seizures, and Anton Piller Orders.

Portfolio Management including due diligence audits, valuations, monitoring, enforcement, etc.

Financing including venture capital financing of IP assets and R&D tax credits.

Intellectual Property

List of lawyers in this practice area.