Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) releases 2024‑2025 Annual Report

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) released its 2024–2025 Annual Report through its official website. The report indicates that during the 2024–2025 fiscal year (ending March 31, 2025), CIPO achieved significant improvements in service efficiency across trademarks, patents, copyright, and industrial designs through digital transformation, process optimization, and international cooperation, further strengthening Canada's position in the global intellectual property (IP) ecosystem. This report was tabled in the Parliament of Canada on October 31, 2025.

Trademark Services: Substantial Backlog Reduction and Faster Examination

The report highlights that CIPO made breakthrough progress in the trademark domain in 2024–2025. By March 2025, the inventory of trademark applications awaiting examination had decreased by 42% year-over-year, while the average turnaround time for first actions had improved by 18%, significantly alleviating the longstanding issue of application backlog. These achievements resulted from system upgrades and process re-engineering, further optimizing end-to-end services for trademark search, examination, and registration.

Copyright and Industrial Designs: Automation Drives Process Innovation

In the copyright domain, CIPO launched an automated copyright registration system, enabling real-time processing of applications and immediate access to certificates, greatly enhancing registration efficiency for rights holders. Industrial design processes concurrently advanced with system upgrades, simplifying application steps and shortening approval cycles through digital tools, ensuring a "faster, more efficient, and seamless" client experience.

Patent Services: Digital Transformation Enters a New Phase

As one of CIPO's core services, patents reached a key milestone in 2024–2025 with the official launch of the "Next Generation Patents (NGP)" project. This initiative aims to reshape end-to-end services from application to grant through a comprehensive modernization of the patent IT infrastructure. Data shows that by March 2025, 88% of patent transactions were being processed through the newly launched "MyCIPO Patents" portal, where applicants can submit applications, conduct queries, make payments, and perform other tasks online, reflecting a notable increase in digital coverage.

Patent Appeal Board (PAB): Increased Volume and Complexity of Cases

The report discloses that the Patent Appeal Board (PAB) faced a higher workload this year: it received 27 rejected patent applications (a 7% increase from the previous cycle) and rendered 22 Commissioner's decisions (a sharp 710% year-over-year increase). However, the average time to issue a decision on an appeal lengthened from 21.2 months in 2023–2024 to 34.9 months, reflecting the increased complexity of cases under review.

International Collaboration and Public Service: Strengthening Global Role and Empowering Domestic Innovation

On the international front, CIPO continued to deepen global IP cooperation: 2024 marked the fifth anniversary of Canada's accession to the Madrid Protocol, the Nice Agreement, and the Singapore Treaty. These international treaties have facilitated access to foreign markets for Canadian businesses, further solidifying Canada's voice in global IP governance. Simultaneously, CIPO collaborated with international IP offices to enhance the efficiency of the global IP system and safeguard the interests of Canadian innovators.

In terms of public service, CIPO expanded its IP awareness and education efforts, launching a digital learning resource library. Through online and offline activities, it reached hundreds of entrepreneurs and provided personalized IP advisory services to help innovators understand and utilize the IP system.

CIPO: Strategic Leadership Driving Service Enhancement

In the report's foreword, Konstantinos Georgaras, Chief Executive Officer of CIPO, stated: "The 2024–2025 fiscal year marks the second year of implementing CIPO's 2023–2028 Business Strategy. Through technological innovation and process streamlining, we have enhanced service delivery capabilities in patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and other areas, while empowering Canadian innovators with digital resources and outreach initiatives. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on modernization, contributing the 'Canadian approach' to the global IP ecosystem."

Associated links：

· CIPO's 2024–2025 Annual Report
· CIPO's 2023–2028 Business Strategy