By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • The purpose of a trademark is to identify the source of goods and services while providing legal protection for a brand, not to protect people’s sensibilities, says Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson. Simpson, principal of IP and new media law boutique Shift Law Professional Corporation, says if governments […]
Trademarks Act not meant to protect Canadian sensibilities Read More »
By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • With the ability to determine a patient’s potential response to medications based on their genetics, pharmacogenetic testing is a worthy investment that would quickly pay for itself, predicts Ontario disability insurance lawyer Courtney Mulqueen. Mulqueen, principal lawyer of Mulqueen Disability Law Professional Corporation, says pharmacogenomics combines the sciences of
Pharmacogenetic testing can help those with mental health issues Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • The legal age for firearm ownership across Canada is eighteen, even in situations where a shotgun or rifle is given as a gift or as part of an inheritance. But there is more flexibility in the law when it comes to using firearms for sport shooting. “Those under 18 can fire
Youths can legally use a firearm provided an adult is supervising Read More »
By Paul Russell, LegalMatters Staff • Proposed changes to the auto insurance system in Ontario may allow drivers to reduce their insurance premiums but that may result in financial hardship down the road, says Ontario disability and personal injury lawyer Joshua Goldberg. “The government has suggested people can lower their premiums by opting out of
Optional coverage is the wrong way to cut insurance rates Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Legitimate firearm owners have long argued that gun control legislation singles out them instead of criminals using unregistered weapons. A recent Statistics Canada report confirms that position “Among homicides where information was available, the accused had a licence in only 13 per cent (16 out of 119 homicides) involving handguns and
Legally registered firearms rarely used to commit criminal acts Read More »
By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • The Toronto Lawyers’ Association’s (TLA) Courthouse Library may be the “best kept legal secret” in the city but it is also arguably one of the most valuable resources available to members of the Toronto Bar, the judiciary, articling students and the public, says executive director/library director Joan Rataic-Lang. “Access
TLA library adds new databases to impressive resource collection Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • The key difference between a divorce and an annulment is that while a divorce terminates a legally valid marriage, an annulment treats the marriage as if it never existed. “When a marriage is annulled, the court will issue a Nullity Decree. It takes effect immediately, declaring that the marriage did not
The difference between a divorce and an annulment Read More »
By Tony Poland, LegalMatters Staff • Grandparents can play a meaningful role in their families’ lives but what happens when parents don’t want them interacting with their children? While family courts have stated that it can be beneficial for a child to have contact with their grandparents, that doesn’t necessarily mean grandparents have an automatic
Grandparents don’t have automatic right of access to grandchildren Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Two common reasons for the non-consensual distribution of intimate images are revenge porn and cyberbullying, though some people may not know what those terms mean. “Revenge porn describes the act of receiving an intimate image or video from someone and then distributing it without their consent,” says Ottawa criminal lawyer Céline
What is the offence of sharing intimate pictures online? Read More »
When it comes to the law, it is important to understand the differences between a personal injury and a bodily injury. The latter encompasses all wounds, bruises and damages the human body may suffer for whatever reason. With a personal injury, the harm was caused by another party and, under Canadian law, the injured person
Compensation may be due to those with a personal injury Read More »
