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It
all starts with an orientation of the main departments: Patents,
Trademarks, Litigation and Legal. You will be introduced to all
personnel in each department and given an introduction into their
key responsibilities, functions, systems and process. As each rotation
takes place, you are reintroduced to the systems to ensure that
earlier training is reinforced, and that differences in systems
are appreciated.
Students
are also introduced to important administrative systems, such as
file management, properly entering dockets and understanding MBM's
accounting systems. There are always people available to answer
your questions. You are fully supported, and need only ask for assistance.
During
the articling period, students have an opportunity to join MBM's
in-house education programs and seminars for lawyers in the areas
of licensing and trademarks among others where possible. If the
opportunity arises, you may also attend external workshops and conferences
related to your specific rotation.
The
only variables that may affect what you learn here are market forces
and you. We do our best to teach articling students everything that
we can, including, but not limited to:
Patents
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patent drafting
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patent filing and prosecution before the CIPO, the USPTO and the
EPO
-
exposure to international patent practice
-
exposure to the patent monitoring and management of IP portfolios
-
due diligence / IP audit
-
formalities
Trademarks
-
trademark drafting and prosecution
-
trademark registration and renewal, nationally and internationally
-
trademark searching for registration eligibility
-
opposition proceedings
-
file monitoring
-
formalities
Litigation
-
enforcement techniques and the protection of intellectual property
rights
-
defense of patent, trademark and copyright rights
-
preparation of cease and desist letters
-
negotiation and settlement practices
-
drafting of declarations
-
drafting of applications to rectify chain of title
-
preparation of appeals of trademark opposition board decisions
Legal
-
researching of patent eligibility and validity
-
researching and contributing to due diligence and infringement
opinions
-
contributing to opinions on trademark registration and infringement
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licensing agreements and assignments
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participation in strategic meetings
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statutory interpretation
-
preparation of articles for MBM's Patent and Trademark Bulletin
General
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in-depth training in at least one area of our practice
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marketing
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administrative procedures and systems
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good accounting practices
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preparing articles for possible publication
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