Trademarks, copyrights and other related intellectual property (IP) are now critical to competing in an international market. Procuring, protecting and enforcing IP in a global context are key to every company’s business strategy. As both a lawyer and a registered Canadian trademark agent, Athar Malik is well-placed to meet the IP needs of clients.
Whether representing clients in clearing or securing trademarks, drafting IP agreements or advising on copyright and other intellectual property issues, Athar’s practical approach and eye for detail allow him to provide solutions that contribute to our clients’ success.
Athar’s experience has been recognized in the World Trademark Review’s prestigious WTR 1000 – the World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.
Services
| Advising clients on the availability (clearance) of trademarks and prosecuting trademark applications in Canada | Representing parties in trademark opposition and non-use (expungement) proceedings in Canada |
| Assisting clients with securing trademark rights in other countries | Prosecuting copyright applications in Canada and assisting clients with copyright issues in other countries |
| Advising clients regarding all types of intellectual property licensing issues, including the drafting and reviewing of license agreements | Advising clients regarding confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), including the drafting and reviewing of such agreements |
| Assisting with representing parties in intellectual property litigation (including disputes relating to trademarks and copyrights) | Advising clients on general intellectual property matters, including intellectual property aspects of commercial transactions, commercial agreements, labour & employment situations and other aspects of intellectual property law |
Athar’s previous experience as a litigator allows him to identify common issues raised in litigation and to avoid those pitfalls when advising clients on intellectual property matters. Additionally, with an undergraduate degree in business, Athar has a commercial understanding that allows him to suggest practical solutions that meet not only the legal but also the business priorities of our clients.
Athar is a Fellow of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, and he is actively involved with the IP community by:
- Serving on the editorial board of the Canadian Intellectual Property Review (formerly its editor-in-chief)
- Sitting on the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada’s Copyright Committee
- Sitting on the International Trademark Association’s Legislation and Regulation Committee
- Writing the copyright chapter for the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia’s Annual Review of Law & Practice
This involvement gives Athar foresight into upcoming policy and legislative changes that may impact our clients. It also allows him to advise government and organizational stakeholders of the potential impact of any legislative changes to industries represented by our clients.
Awards & Distinctions
- Best Lawyers® in Canada, Intellectual Property Law, 2025
- World Trademark Review’s WTR 1000 - the World's Leading Trademark Professionals (Prosecution and Strategy), 2021-Present
- Junior Fellow of Massey College, 2004-2007
- Recipient of the Medal in Commerce for graduating with the highest overall standing in the Queen’s University Commerce program and inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honour Society, 2004
