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FederalIntellectual Property & Trademarks

Filing a patent application in Canada (CIPO)

Filing a patent application with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) to protect an invention across Canada.

This is legal information, not legal advice. A licensed lawyer must review your matter. Fees below are government charges effective today, not professional-fee estimates.

A patent granted by CIPO gives the patentee exclusive rights to make, use, and sell an invention for up to 20 years from filing. Small entities (under 50 employees) receive a 50% discount on standard CIPO filing and maintenance fees.

Government fees in effect

Steps to complete

  1. 1

    Prepare specification, drawings, and patent claims

    Draft formal claims and description with a registered CPATA Patent Agent.

    File with: CIPO Patent Office
  2. 2

    File patent application and pay filing fee

    Submit online via CIPO patent e-filing portal.

    File with: CIPOFiling portal
  3. 3

    Request Examination

    Request examination within 4 years of filing date.

    File with: CIPOFiling portal

When professional advice may help

Patent drafting requires specialized technical and legal expertise from a CPATA-licensed Patent Agent. Drafting claims incorrectly can invalidate rights across all jurisdictions.

Before you start

  • Novel, non-obvious, and useful technical invention
  • Detailed specification and patent claims

What you finish with

  • Granted Canadian Patent (20-year term from filing date)

Terms used in this guide

Patent

A time-limited exclusive right over a new, useful and non-obvious invention, granted on application.

Related legal guides

Trademark registration in Canada: protecting your brand

Incorporating protects your name with the corporate registry, but trademark registration gives you exclusive rights to your brand. Learn what registration with CIPO involves, timelines, and costs.

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Source checked 2026-08-19. Independent legal review: Lawkin Editorial — pending independent legal review.

Filing a patent application in Canada (CIPO) — Lawkin