Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP) in the European Union

Executive summary

Canadian businesses seeking to expand to the EU often overlook the intellectual property (IP) aspects associated with doing business abroad. It is important to know how to protect and enforce IP rights in the EU.

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) has developed a guide which aims to raise awareness of IP and its importance to Canadian SMEs. The guide provides practical information on protecting and enforcing IP rights in the EU.

The guide includes useful information for the following areas and provides answers to common questions:

General introduction to IP in the European Union

• What are the main IP rights that exist at the EU level to protect the various innovations and creations of Canadian businesses?
• What are patents, trademarks, designs, copyright and geographical indications, and what do they protect?
• What are the benefits of registering IP?
• How and where can Canadian businesses register their IP rights?
• What types of legal and border enforcement measures do Canadian businesses have access to on the basis of their IP rights?
• What are trade secrets, and what do they protect?
• How can Canadian SMEs develop an IP strategy?
• How and why should Canadian businesses search for third party IP rights in the EU?

IP in EU Member States – Case studies

• IP protection in Germany, France and the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg).

Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

• Benefits of CETA for Canadian companies in terms of IP protection and enforcement in the EU.

Links - Guides and contact points

• Useful additional resources and contact points available to Canadian businesses for personalized support, either for protecting their IP in the EU market or for accessing the EU market more generally.
• In addition to the full guide, learn more about protecting your IP in the European Union from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.