With over 150 practitioners dedicated to intellectual property (IP), and 100 lawyers specializing in business law — each
with direct experience working with technology companies — our integrated Technology Industry Group is one of the largest and most specialized in Canada. A premier provider of legal solutions to clients in information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, e-commerce, wireless and telecom, our goal is to blend our business law and IP expertise to provide comprehensive, value-added advice. For the client, it means there is no need to choose between a business law or IP lawyer, and no risk of dealing with two lawyers who fail to effectively communicate with each other.
Gowlings’ professionals come from exceptionally strong technology-focused backgrounds. As a team of specialists that includes legal professionals with extensive experience in both science and engineering, our integrated Technology Industry Group understands what drives your business and how to protect it. We work in partnership with our clients to develop customized strategies that help you reach your goals.
If you are planning to acquire, develop, implement or commercialize new technologies, Gowlings speaks your language.
FOCUS AREAS
WIRELESS
Wireless technology encompasses different types of
telecommunications tools such as Bluetooth, cellular,
802.11, 802.16, satellite and broadband. We act for
wireless service providers and equipment manufacturers,
providing a wide range of professional services.
CLEANTECH
Cleantech companies are on the rewarding mission of reducing the environmental impact of human development by using technology to make energy use cleaner and more efficient, to reduce emissions and waste, purify water and clean up the earth's soil. The latest innovations in alternative and renewable energy are being carried out with fuel cells, solar energy, wind energy, biofuels, advanced materials and software to name a few. Companies throughout Canada are creating new and innovative businesses that turn waste into energy, reduce carbon emissions, and remediate previously contaminated water and soil.
Gowlings uses a multi-disciplinary team of legal experts to assist Cleantech companies in achieving their goals. We have the expertise to help you raise capital, protect your inventions, access government technology support programs, develop commercialization strategies and navigate federal and provincial legislation and regulations. Furthermore, Gowlings has the expertise to assist Cleantech companies with mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, environmental, tax, employment, privacy, intellectual property, government relations and regulatory affairs, and other legal issues faced by today's Cleantech companies.
Gowlings' Cleantech experts includes lawyers from its Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Government Services, and Life Sciences Industry Groups and the Environmental Practice Group.
NANOTECHNOLOGY
At Gowlings, we know the definition of Nano.
Nanotechnology is currently a favourite topic in business
circles, however, because it exists at the atomic scale,
operating on natural laws that differ from the world we
know, nanotechnology is often shrouded in mystery.
Your business requires counsel that can cut through
the hype to help put your technology on solid footing.
Gowlings provides expertise in a range of highlyspecialized
areas, including:
- Microfluidics
- Semiconductors and other advanced materials
- Optics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Sensors
SOFTWARE, HARDWARE AND SEMICONDUCTORS
Software, hardware and semiconductors have traditionally
been the most significant areas of the technology industry
in Canada. Gowlings has extensive experience advising
and assisting clients with obtaining and enforcing
intellectual property rights, licensing and implementing
commercial transactions in each of these areas.
VIDEO GAMES AND ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT
Gowlings represents a wide variety of clients in the
video game industry, providing creative solutions
and sound legal advice to development studios,
software development tool vendors, hardware and
console manufacturers, middleware providers and
publishing houses.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Gowlings is able to offer a unique combination of
expertise in both the commercial and regulatory aspects
of Canada’s telecommunications environment. We provide
advice on establishing or expanding telecommunications
ventures in Canada and responding to federal regulatory
requirements. We can provide representation before
the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (“CRTC”) and understand the many
dimensions of doing business in this country. Our
experience includes:
- Telecommunications supply agreements
- Advice on telecommunications regulation and licensing
- Representation before the CRTC
- Fibre purchase agreements
- Telecommunications services agreements and terms of use
- Privacy and security expertise as it applies to
telecommunications providers and networks
- Resale agreements and calling card issues
- Retail distribution agreements
CORE SERVICES
COMMERCIALIZATION OF IP
With our combined expertise in business law and IP,
we can draft and negotiate agreements and advise on
arrangements that maximize positive outcomes for our
clients. We offer expert advice on:
- Building IP strategies
- Patent and other IP licensing
- Building patent and trade mark portfolios
- Valuation of IP assets
- Research agreements
- IP transfer agreements
CORPORATE FINANCING
Gowlings understands the world of venture capital and
private equity financing. We offer in-depth knowledge of
recent industry trends and have extensive experience in:
- Effectively and efficiently closing financing transactions
- Debt restructuring
- Negotiating term sheets
- Assistance with due diligence on investors
and investees
- Guiding technology companies to IPO
TECHNOLOGY CONTRACTING
At Gowlings, we know that a technology contract
is not just another contract. With experience in
the complex technologies of computer systems,
software and networks, we prepare and negotiate
licenses and agreements of all types. Our experience
includes:
- Development agreements
- Outsourcing agreements
- Web site development
- Infrastructure services agreements
- Database agreements
- Co-development agreements
- Maintenance agreements
- Network construction and operation agreements
- Licensing agreements
- Escrow agreements
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
We draw on extensive cross-border experience.
At Gowlings, we offer superior skills in the development
of growth and exit strategies. Our professionals provide
sophisticated advice on all aspects of the transaction,
including:
CORPORATE FORMATION
Gowlings helps clients efficiently organize their legal
framework and guides them in finding structures that
are optimal for achieving future goals. We offer
expertise in:
- Shareholders’ agreements
- Transfer of intellectual property
- Corporate governance
- Stock option plans
PROTECTING AND ENFORCING IP RIGHTS
Gowlings offers unsurpassed expertise in the national
and international protection and enforcement of IP rights.
Areas of expertise include:
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
In addition to our core services, we assist a variety of technology-driven organizations — from IT vendors and
developers to major corporations — with the following:
TAX
- Income tax, GST and sales tax advice
- SR+ED tax credit
- Structuring to optimize tax position
- Transfer pricing
- Estate planning
PRIVACY
- Ensuring compliance with recent legislation
- Conducting privacy audits
- Dealing with cross-border issues
EMPLOYMENT LAW
- Employee and contractor agreements
- Non-competition agreements
- Termination agreements and strategies
- Advice on pensions and benefits
E-COMMERCE
- Consumer Protection Act
- Internet liability
- Internet and extranet matters
- Online contracting
SECURITIES LAW
- Ensuring compliance with recent regulatory changes
- Preparing your company to go public
- Managing officers’ and directors’ liability
COMMERCIAL LAW
- Cross-border transactions
- Joint venture and other “partnering” agreements
- Acquisition agreements
- Distribution and reselling agreements
- Franchising
Do not hesitate to call us with your concerns. A brief phone call can save you thousands of dollars or create
significant value. Call Gowlings today to:
- Discuss your business
- Talk about legal needs
- Find a person to work with
- Review your business plan
For further information, please contact:
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