Canadian Intellectual Property

Miller Canfield offers a rare and powerful advantage to companies seeking streamlined, strategic intellectual property protection across the U.S.-Canada border. With offices in both countries and deep roots in the Detroit-Windsor corridor, we are uniquely positioned to provide seamless IP services that align with our clients' cross-border business operations.

What sets us apart is our ability to file and prosecute patents and trademarks in both countries from a single U.S.-based office. It requires dual licensure through the Canadian College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents, which is exceptionally rare among U.S.-based lawyers and allows our firm to deliver a unified North American strategy without the cost, complexity, or delay of involving separate Canadian counsel.

One Team. One Strategy. Two Countries. We help clients secure and enforce patents and trademarks on both sides of the border, ensuring consistency, reducing risk, and eliminating duplicative legal spend. This service is ideal for companies in the automotive, manufacturing, technology, and life sciences industries that regularly innovate and operate across North America.

Our cross-border IP capabilities include:

• Patent and trademark filing and prosecution before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
• Integrated U.S.-Canada IP strategy and portfolio management
• Freedom-to-operate analyses, infringement risk assessments, and due diligence
• Licensing, joint development, and technology transfer agreements spanning jurisdictions
• Litigation-ready patent and trademark protection tailored to business goals

A Strategic Partner for U.S. and Canadian Clients. Our cross-border IP offering is part of a broader international practice that serves clients in over 60 countries, backed by our presence in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Poland, Ukraine, and Qatar. Whether you are a Canadian company expanding into the U.S. market or a U.S. company seeking efficient Canadian IP protection, we provide practical, business-minded counsel backed by technical depth and global reach.

Clients turn to Miller Canfield because we understand the nuance of cross-border business. We speak the language of engineers, in-house counsel, and business leaders—and we deliver cost-effective, commercially focused IP protection that travels well across borders.