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Intellectual Property Ontario is Open for Business

TORONTO — The Ontario government is supporting the province’s innovators in developing, managing and commercializing their intellectual property (IP) with the launch of services at Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON). The new agency, announced in March 2022, will help researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses maximize the value of their IP and strengthen their capacity to grow and compete in the global economy.

IPON is now open for business and will offer services to an initial cohort of clients in the medical technologies, artificial intelligence, and automotive technologies sectors this fall, broadening its services to additional clients in the coming months.

“By providing postsecondary institutions, businesses and innovators with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to harness the value of their IP, our government is helping drive real economic growth for the next generation of Ontarians,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “IPON will support Ontario entrepreneurs in the global market and ensure the economic and commercial benefits of home-grown innovation remain right here in Ontario.”

IPON is Canada’s first provincial agency dedicated to maximizing the benefits of Ontario-made IP. IPON will offer clients on-demand, online educational resources to help them learn more about IP; provide grants to connect them with IP experts and legal counsel to assist them, for example, to file a patent to protect their invention; and advisory services and mentorship opportunities. IPON will also help build the capacity of postsecondary institutions and others in the innovation ecosystem to maximize the value of made-in-Ontario IP.

“The launch of Intellectual Property Ontario is a vital part of our plan to build Ontario by enhancing key sectors and encouraging more Ontario-made products," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "Ontario is home to some of the brightest innovators and entrepreneurs, and IPON will help them be more competitive in the global market, while supporting long-term economic growth."

IPON is also excited to announce the appointment of Peter Cowan as its new CEO. Recently, Peter held senior level positions at the Innovation Asset Collective, assisting Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises in the clean technology sector to better leverage their IP.

“I’m pleased to join IPON and we are ready to welcome our first intake of clients from the innovation and research sector. In today’s competitive global market, IP is critical for moving beyond the ideation stage and getting to the commercialization stage,” said Peter Cowan. “We’re excited to help companies and researchers take full advantage of their valuable IP.”

Quick Facts

  • In Summer 2020, Ontario released an Intellectual Property Action Plan in response to the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Intellectual Property. IPON is a key milestone of the plan.
  • As announced in the 2022 Ontario Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build, Ontario is supporting IPON with an investment of about $58 million over three years.
  • Intellectual Property Ontario is a board-governed agency, with up to nine board members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC), on the recommendation of the Minister of Colleges and Universities.
  • As part of the agency’s beta phase, IPON will initially serve four priority client groups including innovators in the medical technologies (MedTech), artificial intelligence (AI) and automotive technologies sectors, as well as recipients of the Ontario Research Fund-Research Excellence program. After the beta phase, IPON services will be scaled up to include clients in additional sectors.
  • According to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, small- and medium-sized enterprises that own intellectual property are three times more likely to expand domestically and more than four times more likely to expand internationally.
  • Managing intellectual property can help innovators and researchers profit from selling or licensing their IP assets; protect their trade secrets from being disclosed; stop others from making, using and selling their invention; protect and build their brand; and increase the value of their business in the eyes of potential buyers and investors.

Quotes

"As an Ontario-based med-tech cofounder, I aspire to a future of continued growth and business success right here at home. We know there is a high correlation between business success and IP sophistication. I'm excited about how IPON can help companies like ours, and in turn enhance the business ecosystem of our province."
- Andre Hladio
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Intellijoint Surgical