Registering a Trademark in Canada: Steps for Ontario Businesses

If you run a business in Ontario, your name or logo is likely one of your most valuable assets. A federal trademark registration is a way to protect it across Canada, not just in your city or province.

This article walks through the steps of a registration with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), what it costs, and how long protection lasts. It is general information, and a lawyer or trademark agent can confirm what fits your business.

What a trademark registration does

A trademark is a word, name, logo or other mark that tells customers who stands behind your goods or services. Registering it is a federal process handled by CIPO, which is why a single registration is not limited to Ontario.

Before you file, it helps to decide exactly what you want to protect: the name alone, the logo alone, or both. Each may need its own application, so ask a professional how to approach it for your brand.

What you need to file

A complete CIPO application needs the applicant's name and address, a representation or description of the mark, goods and services grouped by Nice class, and the fee. Only the first-class fee is needed to get a filing date, and fees for additional classes must be paid before advertisement.

• The exact legal name and address of the applicant.
• A clear representation or description of the mark.
• A list of your goods and services, grouped by Nice class.
• The filing fee.

Describing your goods and services carefully matters, because the list shapes what your registration covers. Vague or overly broad wording can cause delays, so many owners get help at this stage.

Search before you file

As part of its review, CIPO searches its database for conflicts. You can reduce surprises by searching for similar names yourself first, including in your industry, and by asking a professional to look more closely. A mark that looks too close to an existing one may be refused or opposed. How close is too close depends on the facts.

The process and timeline

After you file, CIPO examines the application and searches its database for conflicts. It then advertises the mark in the Trademarks Journal, which is published every Wednesday, and allows an opposition period of two months from advertisement. If there is no opposition, or the opposition fails, the Registrar registers the mark.

The overall time depends on how CIPO handles your file and whether anyone objects or opposes, so a lawyer can give you a realistic expectation for your situation.

Fees and renewal

For applications filed online in 2026, the fee is $491.06 for the first class and $149.04 for each additional class. The 2027 amounts are $499.41 and $151.57, and they apply to payments received on or after January 1, 2027.

A registration lasts 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed for further 10-year periods. The Registrar expunges the registration if the renewal fee is not paid in the prescribed period. Renewal fees filed online in 2026 are $595.06 for the first class and $185.49 for each additional class, rising to $605.18 and $188.64 in 2027.

What to do next

Treat registration as a short project with a clear sequence. Preparing well before filing can avoid problems later.

• Decide whether to protect your name, your logo, or both.
• Search for similar marks in your industry before you commit.
• List the goods and services you offer, and group them by Nice class.
• Confirm the legal name and address of the owner of the mark.
• Budget for the fee for each class, and note the date the 2027 amounts begin.
• Set a reminder for renewal, since an unpaid renewal leads to expungement.
• Speak with a lawyer or trademark agent if your mark is close to others in your field.

Frequently asked questions