In January 2025, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) launched a pilot project to ensure that the Register of Trademarks accurately reflects active trademarks in use. As part of this initiative, CIPO is issuing Section 45 notices to randomly selected trademark owners whose registrations have been active for over three years. These notices require owners to provide evidence of their trademark's use in Canada within the last three years or to justify non-use due to exceptional circumstances. Failure to respond adequately may result in the cancellation of the trademark registration.

Key Points:

• Purpose of the Pilot Project:
  - To remove trademarks that are no longer in use, ensuring the Register is current and efficient for businesses seeking new trademark registrations.
  - To promote fair competition by eliminating unused trademarks that could hinder new brand development.
  - To maintain the integrity of the trademark system by accurately reflecting active trademarks and their associated goods and services.
• Process:
  - CIPO began issuing Section 45 notices in January 2025, starting with 100 notices, followed by 50 in February and 50 in March.
  - Selected trademark owners have three months to submit evidence of their trademark's use in Canada or to explain non-use due to exceptional circumstances.
  - If satisfactory evidence is provided, the registration remains intact; otherwise, the trademark may be canceled.

Recommendations for Trademark Owners:

1. Maintain Accurate Contact Information:
   - Ensure that your current email and contact details are updated with us.
2. Keep Detailed Records of Trademark Use:
   - Regularly document how your trademark is used in Canada, including sales records, marketing materials, and distribution information.
3. Recommendations for Trademark Owners:
   - If you receive a Section 45 notice, prepare and submit the necessary evidence within the three-month timeframe to maintain your registration.

Last Friday, we celebrated a significant milestone at Accolade Hong Kong Headquarters – our 15th Anniversary!

Alongside this remarkable achievement, we hosted our Annual Dinner to honor this incredible journey with our outstanding team.

💫 Event Highlights:

🎂 15th Anniversary Celebration: A heartfelt thank you to all our clients and partners for their unwavering support. These 15 years are a testament to our shared success!

🎁 Lucky Draw: To show our appreciation for our team’s hard work, we prepared exciting prizes. The atmosphere was filled with joy, surprises, and laughter!

🤝 Team Moments: The entire team gathered to enjoy a delicious feast, share laughter, and create cherished memories while looking forward to a bright future.

Accolade IP recently marked the Grand Opening of its new Hong Kong Headquarters with a festive ceremony and a delightful Celebration Cocktail event. Clients, partners, and team members gathered to witness this significant milestone in the company’s growth.

Staying true to Chinese traditions, the ceremony featured a symbolic roast pig cutting, symbolizing blessings of prosperity, good fortune, and success for the new office space. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, joy, and a sense of new beginnings as the company embarked on this next chapter.

Following the opening ceremony, the Celebration Cocktail brought together esteemed guests and team members in a vibrant, relaxed setting. Attendees enjoyed delicious refreshments, exchanged ideas, and discussed future opportunities, reinforcing strong partnerships and connections.

The new office space, designed with modern efficiency and professionalism in mind, reflects Accolade IP's commitment to delivering exceptional intellectual property services across the globe.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the guests who joined us on this special occasion. Your presence made the celebration truly memorable. As we continue our journey, Accolade IP remains dedicated to providing unparalleled expertise and innovative solutions to support your intellectual property needs.