Explore the latest IP trends in the IP Canada Report 2026

October 6, 2026 - Gatineau, Quebec

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has published the IP Canada Report 2026, the 11th edition of its annual publication on intellectual property (IP) activity in Canada and abroad by Canadians. The report examines trends in patents, trademarks, industrial designs and plant breeders' rights. This year's edition includes special sections on Canada's first five years under the Madrid Protocol and on productivity among firms patenting in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.

Highlights from the report

Following mixed results in last year's report, IP filing activity rebounded across Canada's IP landscape. Growth was driven in part by increased participation from Canadian applicants, while Canadian businesses and innovators continued to seek protection in international markets.

• Patents: CIPO received 36,047 patent applications in 2025 (+2% vs. 2024), driven by a 26% increase in resident filings. Canadians filed 19,878 patent applications abroad in 2024 (+1% vs. 2023).
• Trademarks: CIPO received 74,793 trademark applications in 2025 (+9% vs. 2024), supported by strong growth in resident demand (+21% vs. 2024). Canadians filed more than 21,800 trademark applications abroad in 2024 (+4% vs. 2023).
• Industrial designs: Applications covering 10,670 industrial designs were filed in Canada in 2025 (+16% vs. 2024), the highest level on record. Canadians filed 4,294 industrial designs abroad in 2024 (+27% vs. 2023), also a record high.

Also available: IP data at a glance 2026

CIPO has also released its IP data at a glance 2026 infographic. Based on the same data presented in the IP Canada Report 2026, this companion resource highlights key patent, trademark and industrial design filing trends in Canada in 2025 and by Canadians abroad in 2024 through six easy-to-read charts.

Learn more from October 26 to 28

CIPO, the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will co-host the 9th Annual IP Data & Research Conference from October 26 to 28, 2026. This event brings together researchers, policymakers and IP experts from around the world to share insights on IP data, policy and emerging trends.

About our IP data and research

CIPO shares IP knowledge through reports, datasets, research and events. Learn more about IP data and research at CIPO.

This work supports a key objective of CIPO's 2026−2031 Business Strategy and helps users better understand Canada's IP landscape and make data-driven decisions.