Ashley Moniz is the Managing Editor of the IPilogue and the Assistant Director of IP Osgoode.
On October 15, 2008, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, IP Osgoode was officially launched. Known as Osgoode Hall Law School’s Intellectual Property Law and Technology Program, Prof. Pina D’Agostino set out to create a program that would lead IP law discourse, foster a vibrant community whose members are welcome to share broad perspectives, and diversify the IP innovation ecosystem. Now, 13 years later, IP Osgoode and the IP Innovation Clinic are still forging new paths and relationships in the IP community.
Here are a few noteworthy accomplishments from the past year:
IP Osgoode
- Runners-Up at the Oxford IP Moot: in March 2021, Osgoode Hall Law School reached the finals of the Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot for the first time. Under Prof. D’Agostino and Prof. David Vaver’s academic supervision and expert coaching from lawyers at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and Deeth Williams Wall LLP, our team placed second after an incredible showing and very close competition, winning the Kirkland & Ellis Runner-Up Prize for Oral Proceedings in the process.
- Leading Legal Disruption Published: in May 2021, D’Agostino published a collection of essays written by leaders in IP and AI law from around the world. The book, titled Leading Legal Disruption: Artificial Intelligence and a Toolkit for Lawyers and the Law, was co-edited by Dr. Aviv Gaon of IDC Herzliya and Carole Piovesan of INQ Law.
- Two Bracing for Impact Webinars: IP Osgoode collaborated with the Harry Radzyner Law School at the IDC Herzliya and Microsoft Canada to present two new webinars in our Bracing for Impact Event Series: “Cyber Challenges to Human Rights” in December 2020 and “AI’s Dirty Footprint” in June 2021, the latter being also in collaboration with Alectra’s GRE&T Centre. The webinars featured speakers from around the world and drew in almost 250 spectators between them.
- First Virtual Trademark Hearing: thanks to the Honourable Justice Michael Manson of the Federal Court of Canada, over 70 Osgoode students and faculty members virtually attended the Federal Court adjudication of a trademark matter.
- IPilogue’s Return to Daily Publishing: under a new structure, the IPilogue has returned to publishing daily blog articles written by our dedicated team of IPilogue Writers. Almost 270 articles have been published over the past year alone, more than 120 more than the previous year. We continue to receive and publish guest submissions from students, academics, lawyers, and members of our Advisory Board as well.
IP Innovation Clinic
- IP Innovation ChatBot Launched: The IP Innovation Clinic officially launched its ChatBot through a webinar on January 29, 2021. Developed with assistance and support from Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, CIPO, and ISED Canada, the AI-backed ChatBot provides accurate and reliable IP law information for free on our website. Thanks to further funding from ISED through the National IP Strategy, we look forward to continuing to expand the breadth of the ChatBot’s impact and better reach and assist members of underrepresented communities in the IP Innovation ecosystem.
- Mitacs-funded Business Strategy Internships: in March 2021, Osgoode became the first law school to receive funding from Mitacs for student internships. The IP Innovation Clinic placed 3 Clinic Fellows with businesses pivoting their operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof. D’Agostino was also featured in the Onario Ministry of Colleges and Universities press conference marking the official launch of the program.
- Clinic Clients Secured Millions in Funding: two IP Innovation Clinic clients leveraged IP information from our Clinic Fellows to massive expansions of their business. Skygauge Robotics received a $3.3 million government grant to develop their drone technology and ALT TEX secured $1.5 million in pre-seed financing for their sustainable clothing brand.
- First LPP Candidate: during the Winter 2021 Term, under the supervision of IP Osgoode alumnus Reshika Dhir of Bereskin & Parr LLP, the IP Innovation Clinic welcomed its first Law Practice Program candidate, Emma Abbas. We look forward to welcoming two new LPP candidates in Winter 2022.
- The IP Lunch Club Continues: for the second year in a row, and in collaboration with the City of Barrie Sandbox Centre, Prof. D’Agostino’s Directed Reading: IP Innovation Program students presented a series of five webinars to the Sandbox community, educating local entrepreneurs and innovators about registering and commercializing IP rights. Many attendees from these webinars go on to engage the IP Innovation Clinic for IP and commercialization assistance.
As always, we are grateful to all of the students, faculty, partners, and our Advisory Board for making this past year as great a success as it was. None of the above accomplishments would have happened if not for their passion, dedication, and hard work. As we welcome new students and continue to seek out more involvement, we look forward to another wonderful year and welcome new students and partnerships who can help us grow to even greater heights.