Trademark Scams: CIPO and CPATA Warning of Scammers Targeting Business and Trademark Owners

Recently there has been a large influx of fraudulent phishing emails targeting members of the public across Canada and the United States. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the College of Patent and Trademark Agents (CPATA) have issued notices warning of the targeted phishing emails towards business and trademark owners.

These scams will usually involve an email or mail that is unsolicited and sent directly to business or trademark owners. The scammer will be requesting that the owner act quickly as failing to do so may result in severe legal consequences. These phishing emails will appear official and even have fraudulently used the names of actual registered trademark agents.

Members of the public should be wary of communications from unknown sources. If you receive correspondence from anyone but their own trademark agent you should contact your trademark agent or contact CPATA.

If you want to know more please read CIPO’s notice about the phishing emails and/or CPATA’S notice about the phishing emails.