Annual Report 2007-08

Conclusion

IP plays a critical role in Canadian economic performance and trade development. Innovators and creators using IP represent a significant force in the Canadian economy. CIPO has an important responsibility to help Canadian innovators and creators reap the full benefits offered by the Canadian IP system.

Throughout 2007–08, CIPO enhanced the level of client service by further reducing TATs for key client services, improving client communication in innovative ways, and expanding online services. With the formal launch of the corporate-wide EBR initiative, CIPO will transform its business practices over the next several years and will offer clients a full range of user-friendly service offerings. EBR is a critical element of CIPO's Five-Year Strategic Plan, which is based on five strategic directions that will enable CIPO to deliver superior value to clients and stakeholders: client services, outreach, the IP administrative framework, international activities and our people.

For the year ahead, client service will remain one of CIPO's key areas of focus as we continue to make progress on the EBR initiative. In addition, the organization will concentrate on other client service initiatives, such as improving the timeliness and quality of specific product line activities, understanding our clients' needs, providing information to clients, and conducting business electronically.

CIPO has an important role to play in helping Canadians understand, in straightforward terms, what IP means to our economic, social and humanitarian objectives as a country. To increase the awareness, knowledge and effective use of IP by Canadians is a core responsibility set out in CIPO's mandate. The management and exploitation of innovative knowledge can be a decisive determinant of business success. It is vital that Canada's small businesses and start-ups use the IP system to propel their domestic and international success.

CIPO is committed to enhancing its outreach efforts so that the organization can play a more effective role in supporting Canada's efforts to become a world leader in turning ideas into practical and commercial applications. The organization intends to lead IPOs in the development of customized IP information, tools and services to assist Canadian SMEs in acquiring competitive advantage in the marketplace so that increased IP knowledge and use become measurable factors in their global success.

Annual Report 2007-08
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