Supreme Court Hears Two Important Trade-mark Cases Today - Lawyers Available for Comment

19 October 2005

On October 18, 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada
will hear arguments in two cases that could have a major impact on trade-mark
law and practice in the country.
The two cases, Mattel, Inc. v. 3894207 Canada Inc. and Veuve Clicquot
Ponsardin v. Les Boutiques Cliquot Ltée et al., are expected to establish the
limits of protection for famous brands in Canada. In both cases, a large multi-
national corporation with extensive brand recognition is arguing for the right
to broad protection, even if the offender is not a direct competitor.
The lawyers of Smart & Biggar are leading practitioners in trade-mark law
and are available to comment on the potential impact of these cases on
Canada's commercial landscape.
To arrange an interview with Mark Evans, a partner in our Toronto office,
or François Guay, a partner in our Montreal office, please contact:

Elora Schatzker
Marketing Manager
416-593-5514 ext 343
eschatzker@smart-biggar.ca

About Smart & Biggar:

Smart & Biggar is the largest firm in Canada practising exclusively in
the area of intellectual property and technology law, with offices in Ottawa,
Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Edmonton. We provide advice on intellectual
property and technology law issues to a broad range of clients from start-up
companies in emerging growth sectors to multinational corporations as well as
universities and other research institutions. We are regularly lauded as
leaders in the field by independent surveys, including an international survey
conducted by Managing Intellectual Property magazine in which we were
recognized as the only 'Tier One' Canadian firm in both trade-mark and patent
law. Partners of our firm play leading roles in national and international
trade-mark organizations. For example, our partners are members of the
Management Committee of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and of
the Canadian Trade-marks Office Trade-marks Liaison Committee. Several of our
lawyers teach trade-mark and intellectual property law at leading law schools
in Canada.

For further information: Elora Schatzker, Marketing Manager,
(416) 593-5514 ext 343, eschatzker@smart-biggar.ca