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Kees de Ridder

Intellectual Property Lawyer, Patent Agent and Trademark Agent at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

Stephen D. Burns

Technology Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner, Trademark Agent

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear Pharmascience Inc v Janssen Inc on October 9, 2025, a case that could reshape the scope of patentable subject matter in Canada. At issue is whether a dosing regimen for a pharmaceutical product constitutes an unpatentable method of medical treatment or a valid invention under the Patent Act. The Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal upheld the patent&rsquo;s validity, but Pharmascience has challenged this position. With several industry groups granted intervenor status, the case is expected to have significant implications not only for the pharmaceutical industry but also for broader questions of what qualifies as an &ldquo;invention,&rdquo; including computer-implemented and AI-related technologies.

Supreme Court to Assess Subject Matter Eligibility in Canadian

Supreme Court to Assess Subject Matter Eligibility in Canadian Patent Law: Implications Beyond the Pharmaceutical Context

Ruth E. Promislow

 Data Security and Privacy, Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

J. Sébastien A. Gittens

Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

On June 17, 2025, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) released a summary of its investigation findings regarding a data breach at 23andMe, which affected nearly 7 million customers, including approximately 320,000 Canadians.

23andMes Data Breach

23andMe's Data Breach: Key Takeaways

Organizations are increasingly embedding artificial intelligence (AI) in operations in order to drive efficiency; however, the risks of hallucinated output are being progressively considered by regulators, government bodies, and courts in Canada. In order to protect their integrity and minimize the potential risk in relying on AI, organizations should ensure they are complaint with applicable regulatory guidance as it relate to the use of AI.

Requirements and Guidelines from Canadian Regulators

Requirements and Guidelines From Canadian Regulators, Public Bodies and Courts for the Use of Artificial Intelligence

Emily P. Kettel

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

On December 12, 2024, the Canadian Trademarks Opposition Board (TMOB) announced plans to initiate a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canadian-intellectual-property-office/en/trademarks-opposition-board/pilot-project-registrar-initiated-section-45-expungement-proceeding" target="_blank">pilot project</a> in January 2025 whereby the Registrar of Trademarks will proactively issue a limited number of section 45 notices against existing trademark registrations with the primary intent to assess how many of these trademarks are no longer in use.

Clearing the Deadwood Inactive Trademarks at Risk as Section 45 Pilot Project Announced

Clearing the Deadwood: Inactive Trademarks at Risk as Section 45 Pilot Project Announced

Jenna Vivian

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Associate

Matt Riskin

Commercial Litigation, Health and Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

The Alberta Court of King&rsquo;s Bench has released a detailed and instructive decision on after-acquired cause, employee dishonesty and proportionality in termination for cause, particularly in the context of a closely held business and a senior executive role.

Alberta Court Confirms After Acquired Cause Can Justify Termination for Cause

Sobolewski v Advanced Completions Technology Services Ltd, 2026 ABKB 10

Dishonesty at the Top: Alberta Court Confirms After-Acquired Cause Can Justify Termination for Cause

James T. McClary

Private Equity and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Elizabeth K. Dylke

Corporate and Private Funds Lawyer

Haifeng Hu

Partner at Bennett Jones Vancouver

The private equity industry went in a number of different directions in 2025. Global dealmaking value picked up in the second half of the year but the number of deals decreased. PE exits declined year-over-year, boosting growth in alternative strategies to generate liquidity. Investors remain committed to PE according to Preqin's latest investor survey, despite exercising greater caution in short-term commitments. Macroeconomic conditions improved markedly as the year went on, after a turbulent and unexpected start.
In this edition of the Bennett Jones PE Briefing, we look at the full-year data on private equity activity in Canada in 2025 as well as&nbsp;how 2025 unfolded and what to look for in the coming year;&nbsp;PE exit activity and what to expect in 2026; and&nbsp;trends in GP-stakes investing.

The Q4 2025 PE Briefing

2026 Outlook: Key PE Trends Set to Shape the Year Ahead

George W. H. Reid

International Trade, Investment and Public Procurement Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Jessica B. Horwitz

International Trade Lawyer, Customs Lawyer, Regulatory Lawyer, Anti-Corruption and Economic Sanctions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Sabrina A. Bandali

International Trade, Regulatory and Investment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

For several years, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has sought to limit the ability of non-resident importers to self-assess duties, surtaxes and other taxes on imported goods based on their acquisition costs. In pursuit of this aim, the CBSA launched a third consultation in December 2025 that anticipates a fundamental reshaping of Canada's customs valuation framework through amendments to the&nbsp;Valuation for Duty Regulations, (SOR/86-792) (VFD Regulations).&nbsp;The deadline for stakeholders to make submissions to the 2025 VFD Consultation is January 23, 2025.

CBSA Pushes Customs Valuation Reform

Third Time's a Charm - CBSA Pushes Customs Valuation Reform

Martin Ignasiak KC

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jessica Kennedy

Larissa D. Lees

Alberta has enacted Bills 8 and 12 to establish a new regulatory and levy framework for data centre development in the province. The changes are intended to support growing AI-driven demand while protecting grid reliability, electricity affordability and long-term system sustainability.

Alberta Advances Regulatory Changes to Facilitate Data Centre Development

Hennadiy Kutsenko

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

New federal tax rules effective January 1, 2024 deny expense deductions for short-term rental properties that do not comply with provincial or municipal laws. The changes heighten enforcement risk by allowing the CRA to deny deductions indefinitely, in addition to existing penalties. This blog explains the new deduction denial rules, key exceptions and compliance considerations for short-term rental operators.

Comply or Lose Your Tax Deductions

Comply or Lose Your Tax Deductions: New Income Tax Act Rules Target Short-Term Rental Landlords

Balancing Privacy and Convenience

From the Same Authors