Canadian innovation choked by U.S. laws

Lax, outdated U.S. patent laws are stifling innovation in Canada’s small technology companies, lawyers warn. And experts say the managers of smaller
companies may want to consider whether fighting these laws is worth their time and money.

“I spend a lot of my time trying to help Canadian companies deal with large U.S. companies that are accusing them of infringing a broad range of
patents,” says Richard Mitchell, an Ottawa-based senior partner at patent law firm Marks and Clerk.

Large companies have more resources to file and claim patents, putting small businesses at risk; small companies do not always have the cash to fight
each claim.