Intellectual property professionals welcome the announcement of the Government of Québec's "First Patent" program

OTTAWA, Oct. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - The Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) welcomes the announcement of the Government of Québec's new First Patent program, an initiative to support companies in Québec to acquire a "first title of intellectual property to commercialize innovations".

"We are very pleased that in the "Putting Jobs First" economic policy unveiled yesterday, the Québec government confirmed its commitment to innovation and its support of commercialization of innovative products by Québec companies by providing assistance for SMEs to obtain their first patent. This First Patent program will contribute to economic activity in Québec, leading to the creation of wealth and sustainable jobs," declared the new President of IPIC, Mr. Jeffrey Astle, Intellectual Property Counsel at Pratt & Whitney Canada in Montréal.

"According to two Québec organizations, the Observatoire des sciences et des technologies and the Institut de la statistique du Québec, in 2009, 20% of patents in Canada originated from Québec companies, in comparison with 57% from Ontario. Today's intellectual property is a strategic business advantage: the more easily entrepreneurs will be able to access the patent system, the more they will use it. With the support of intellectual property professionals, such as patent agents and trade-mark agents, SMEs are better equipped than ever to protect their markets and develop new ones," declared Michel Gérin, Executive Director of IPIC.

In "Putting Jobs First", the new economic policy unveiled yesterday, the Québec government announced the creation of the First Patent program, which will "provide SMEs with financial and technical assistance in the application process for their first patent".

The Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) is the professional association of patent agents, trade-mark agents and lawyers specializing in intellectual property. IPIC has over 1,700 members from across the country, including more than 300 in Québec. In 2013, IPIC celebrated its 87^th anniversary.

SOURCE: Intellectual Property Institute of Canada

Michel Gérin, Executive Director
Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
613 234-0516

Daniela Alusik, Project Officer
Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
613 234-0516