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Welcome to Intellectual Property Ontario's (IPON) blog, your source for insights, trends and practical resources to help innovators and entrepreneurs protect their ideas, bring innovations to market and grow with confidence.
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What are trademarks, patents, copyrights and trade secrets? Essential IP terms every innovator should know
Learn the meaning of common intellectual property terms, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, commercialization, IP strategy and more in this beginner-friendly guide to intellectual property.
Buying innovation: How public procurement can help Ontario companies grow
Ontario companies are developing innovative technologies and valuable intellectual property (IP). But realizing their economic potential depends on what happens next: finding customers, demonstrating value and building the track record needed to scale.
From campus to commercialization: Ontario universities earn global recognition for entrepreneurship
Ontario's innovation ecosystem has reached a historic milestone. PitchBook's 2026 University Rankings have recognized five IPON-supported postsecondary institutions among the world's top universities for producing venture-backed founders.
Your insurance policy mentions intellectual property. But are you actually covered?
Intellectual property (IP) can show up in surprising places in a commercial insurance program. A cyber policy might refer to IP. A technology errors & omissions policy may include language about infringement. Even a commercial general liability policy can contain limited protection involving certain IP allegations.
20 questions innovators ask about IP
For many businesses, intellectual property (IP) can feel complex and overwhelming. Yet understanding IP early can help protect innovation, attract investment, support commercialization and create a competitive advantage. Below are answers to some of the most common IP questions asked by Ontario businesses.
Why intellectual property liability insurance matters before you have a patent
Many early-stage companies assume intellectual property (IP) liability insurance is something to consider once they have patents to protect. It's a logical assumption. After all, if a company doesn't yet have a patent portfolio, what intellectual property is there to insure?