College of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents Act

This Act establishes the Canadian Patent and Trademark Agency (CPAT) and provides for its governance structure. The CPAT has a Board, consisting of directors who are appointed or elected by the Minister, with a Chairperson elected from among the directors.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the operations of the CPAT, including setting policies and guidelines for patent and trademark agents, investigating complaints, and maintaining Registers of Patent Agents and Trademark Agents. The Board may also appoint committees to assist in its functions.

The Act provides immunity and indemnification for the directors, members of committees, Registrar, investigators, officers, employees, agents, and mandataries of the CPAT against civil, criminal, administrative or other proceedings for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of any power or duty conferred on them under this Act.

The Minister may review the Board's activities and require reports and information from the Board. Compliance with such a requirement is deemed to be in the best interests of the CPAT.

The CPAT must also report annually to Parliament on its activities, including the number of complaints investigated, the number of registrants and licensees, and any other matters required by the Minister.