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Ahmed Elmallah

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Counsel, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Edward (Ted) Yoo

Intellectual Property Lawyer and Canada/US Patent and Trademark Agent at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Partner, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Lorelei Graham

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

Partner

How an AI system is commercialized and deployed also affects whether patent protection is appropriate. In many cases, the degree of control retained by the provider over the deployed system acts as a counterweight to other considerations that might otherwise favor trade secret protection.

AI Patents A Corporate Decision Tool IV

The Business Delivery Model

AI: Is Patenting Really the Right Move? - Factor IV

This article forms one part of a broader decision framework for evaluating whether patent or trade secret protection is appropriate for AI innovation.&nbsp;The framework is designed to help decision-makers (e.g., innovaters, in house, CTOs) align patent and IP strategy with underlying business realities and moving beyond purely "legal" considerations.&nbsp;
Within that framework, this article addresses a second decision factor: what is the realistic patent scope for the AI innovation?&nbsp;An AI patent with meaningful scope can block competitors from implementing commercially viable alternatives. Assessing enforceable scope therefore requires focusing on some of the following factors: (a) competitor blocking potential; (b) detectability of infringement; and (c) divided infringement.

AI Patents A Corporate Decision Tool II

The Enforceable Patent Scope

AI: Is Patenting Really the Right Move? - Factor II

Defensive blocking considers whether a patent can prevent others from patenting or controlling adjacent technical or commercial space. It matters for two main reasons: (i) to stop competitors from obtaining patents that could later restrict your ability to operate, and (ii) to provide leverage for counter-assertion if a competitor brings a patent claim against you.

AI Patents A Corporate Decision Tool VI

Competitor Defensive Positioning

AI: Is Patenting Really the Right Move? - Factor VI

Finally, and most importantly, patentable potential addresses whether the innovation is likely to satisfy the main requirements for patentability: novelty, non-obviousness and subject-matter requirements. This assessment is highly fact-specific and depends on the prior art landscape and how the invention is framed. Early analysis helps determine whether patent protection is realistic and worth pursuing.

AI Patents A Corporate Decision Tool VII

Patentability Potential & Layered Strategies

AI: Is Patenting Really the Right Move? - Factor VII

Natalia E. Iamundo

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Canada&rsquo;s proptech sector is entering a new phase marked by disciplined growth, scaled AI implementation and deeper public-private collaboration. The 2026 Proptech in Canada report highlights a funding reset, a shift from AI experimentation to real-world deployment and significant government investment aimed at addressing housing affordability.

Building the Future Canadas 2026 Proptech Evolution

Building the Future: Canada's 2026 Proptech Evolution

Mark V. Lewis

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Harpreet Sidhu

Real Estate Associate

Associate

In Culos Development (1996) Inc. v. Baytalan, 2025 BCCA 265, the British Columbia Court of Appeal ordered specific performance for breach of an option to purchase, overturning the trial decision. The Court held that substantial pre-development work and limited market substitutes can establish a property&rsquo;s uniqueness, confirming that there is no presumption of replaceability in real estate disputes.

British Columbia Court of Appeal Awards Specific

British Columbia Court of Appeal Awards Specific Performance in Culos Development (1996) Inc. v. Baytalan, 2025 BCCA 265

Vincent M. de Grandpré

Intellectual Property Litigation and Strategy Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Shelby Morrison

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

A recent Federal Court of Canada decision in Alexa Translations v. Amazon highlights an alternative approach to assessing trademark damages. Recognizing the challenges of proving lost sales and goodwill impairment, the Court accepted that a reasonable royalty based on a hypothetical negotiation may be an arguable remedy. This approach could provide trademark owners with a more practical and meaningful path to compensation.

Recent Federal Court Decision Highlights Alternative Path to Proving Trademark Damages

Federal Court Decision Highlights Alternative Path to Proving Trademark Damages

Christine A. Viney

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Margaret (Meg) Bennett

Kaamil Khalfan

The Supreme Court of Canada&rsquo;s decision in Emond v Trillium Mutual Insurance Co clarifies how insurance policies are interpreted when endorsements enhancing coverage conflict with policy exclusions. The Court confirmed that a guaranteed rebuilding cost endorsement does not extend coverage to costs expressly excluded, highlighting potential gaps for homeowners and the importance of reviewing policies holistically.

Emond Rebuilding Dreams or Interpreting Realities The Supreme Court Weighs In

Emond: Rebuilding Dreams or Interpreting Realities? The Supreme Court Weighs In

William S. Osler KC

Capital Markets, Securities, M&A and Corporate Governance Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Mia Bacic

Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Tinashe Muzah

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Calgary 

Articling Student

The CSA has finalized amendments and ongoing initiatives to modernize continuous disclosure for investment funds, aimed at streamlining requirements, reducing regulatory burden, and improving investor clarity.

A Di(Bisphosphonic Acid) for Protein Coupling and Targeting to Bone

From the Same Authors