CIPO's areas of activity include patents, trademarks, copyright, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies.

[5] Structurally, CIPO functions as a special operating agency (SOA) under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

[8] CIPO plays an integral role in the Canadian innovation ecosystem and cooperates with its counterpart organizations around the world through international IP treaties.

[9] Continued collaboration with international partners and domestic stakeholders strengths the Canadian IP regime and provides CIPO’s clients with opportunities to extract greater value from their creations and inventions.

[12] By modernizing the national IP system and collaborating with its international counterparts, CIPO helps innovators and entrepreneurs grow their business in global markets and attract foreign investments to Canada.

[13] In particular, the Trademarks and Industrial Design Branch is responsible for processing filings, conducting examinations and approving or refusing applications.

[16] More specifically, the Patent Branch is responsible for processing filings, conducting examinations and approving or refusing applications.