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Stephen D. Burns

Technology Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner, Trademark Agent

J. Sébastien A. Gittens

Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

David Wainer

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (the OIPC) recently issued a report (the Report) summarizing the OIPC's recommendations for a framework to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Alberta. While these recommendations are not yet law, organizations should consider their potential impact.

Alberta OIPC Issues Report Regarding Responsible AI Governance

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

As businesses modernize, many are turning to artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools to increase productivity and lower costs. One such tool is AI notetaking—automated meeting transcriptions, real-time summaries, and searchable records.

AI Notetaking in the Legal and Business Context

AI Notetaking in the Legal and Business Context: Does It Risk Confidentiality or Privilege?

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized industries, including the legal field. However, with its benefits come challenges, one of which is "AI hallucinations", which refer to instances where an AI system generates false, misleading, or fabricated information that appears credible. These hallucinations have begun to surface in Canadian legal proceedings, including in materials submitted to the Federal Court of Canada.

Update Requirements and Guidelines From Canadian Regulators

AI in Canada: The Latest from Regulators, Courts and Public Bodies

Influencers have become a cornerstone of modern marketing strategies. A social media influencer is an individual who has established credibility, expertise, or a strong personal brand in a specific niche or industry and uses social media platforms to engage with a dedicated audience. Influencers typically have the ability to affect the opinions, behaviours, and purchasing decisions of their followers due to their perceived authenticity, relatability, or authority.

Influencers Navigating IP Ownership

Influencers: Navigating IP Ownership, Reputational Harm and the Rise of AI-Driven Avatars

Lorelei Graham

Food and Agribusiness Lawyer, IP Lawyer, Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Across the Atlantic, the European Union (EU) and its member states have also been encouraging climate-resilient agri-tech innovation, but their approach to intellectual property incentives has been a bit different. The European Union has set ambitious climate goals (like achieving climate neutrality by 2050) and launched the European Green Deal, a broad policy agenda to support sustainable technologies. While funding and regulations (such as support for sustainable farming practices) are big parts of the EU strategy, there is also recognition that IP rights play an important role in fostering innovation. However, unlike Canada or the recent US pilot program, Europe has not implemented a unified “green channel” for patent examination at the European Patent Office.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III: Green Without the Label: Europe's Pragmatic IP Approach to Agri-Tech Innovation

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Dispute, Construction, Fraud, Police and Personal Injury Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Kevin Myson

Corporate, Commercial Transaction, Energy, Natural Resource and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canada is navigating a "wild frontier" in the energy industry, with a unique opportunity to forge successful and sustainable partnerships both domestically and internationally. This was the rallying call at the Energy Business Forum during the 74th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference in Banff, Alberta, where industry leaders gathered to share visions for the future of Canada's energy landscape.

Key Takeaways From the Wild Frontier Energy Business Forum CEEA 74

Key Takeaways From the "Wild Frontier" Energy Business Forum at CEEA '74

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Jennifer (Jenn) K. Choi

Maruska Giacchetto

This article examines the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378, which provides critical clarification on the interpretation of multi-step dispute resolution (MSDR) clauses. MSDR clauses, commonly used in commercial contracts, outline escalating steps such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes. The Court addressed ambiguities in the drafting of MSDR timelines, emphasizing that specified timeframes should be interpreted as minimum waiting periods rather than strict deadlines. The decision overturned a lower court ruling that barred a party from arbitration due to a perceived failure to meet a 30-day mediation request deadline. This article highlights the importance of precise drafting in MSDR clauses, discusses the implications of the Court's decision, and provides practical guidance for parties drafting or negotiating dispute resolution provisions in commercial agreements.

Do you need to rush to mediate - Ontario Court of Appeal

Do You Need to Rush to Mediate? Ontario Court of Appeal Clarifies Interpretation of Multi-Step Dispute Resolution Clause

The United States has long been a major player in both agri-tech innovation and the intellectual property (IP) landscape. In the past, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offered its own version of a green patent fast-track to encourage climate-friendly inventions. Notably, in 2009 to 2011 the USPTO ran a Green Technology Pilot Program that prioritized examination for certain eco-friendly patents. The pilot ended in 2012, but more recently the USPTO brought back the idea in June 2022, with the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, which was essentially an accelerated examination program for patent applications directed to fight climate change. Under this program, inventions designed to reduce or monitor greenhouse gas emissions, including many clean energy, sustainability or climate-smart agriculture innovations, could be examined out of turn. Importantly, like Canada’s program, the US pilot did not charge the usual petition fee for expediting. The goal was to spur green tech by making it faster and cheaper to secure IP rights.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II: Innovation Interrupted: What the End of the USPTO's Green Program Means for Agri-Tech

Climate change is driving a surge in agricultural technology (agri-tech) innovations aimed at making farming more resilient and sustainable. From drought-resistant crops to carbon-capturing soil techniques, these climate-focused agri-tech solutions are crucial for global food security. An often-overlooked piece of this puzzle is intellectual property (IP) strategy, namely how patents and other IP rights are used to protect and incentivize innovation.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I: Planting the Future: Why Canada's IP System May Be the Climate Innovation Sleeper Hit

Stephen Burns on Copyright's New Frontier

Authors


Bennett Jones Speaking Engagement Stephen Burns on Copyright's New Frontier March 18, 2021 Authors Stephen D. BurnsPartner, Trademark Agent Stephen Burns spoke on the International Literary and Artistic Association (ALAI) Canada's panel, Copyright’s New Frontier: Data or How Seismic Data Can Change our IP World. The panel covered an Alberta Court of Appeal decision in 2017 and discussed emerging topics such as data protection by copyright, confidential information protection, regulatory regimes, artificial intelligence and more. The panel also spoke on future developments irrespective of the industries that may be affected by them. Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Amrita Kochhar at kochhara@bennettjones.com. For informational purposes only This publication provides an overview of legal trends and updates for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, please contact the authors. Authors Stephen D. Burns, Partner, Trademark Agent • Co-Head of Innovation, Technology & Branding Practice Calgary • 403.298.3050 • burnss@bennettjones.com