John McKeown

John McKeown is a partner in the Technology and Intellectual Property Practice Group. He provides advocacy and advice on intellectual property and related matters, including the protection and enforcement of trademarks, copyrights, patents, and confidential information, as well as matters involving misleading advertising and claims under the Competition Act.

He is well-versed in all aspects of intellectual property law and enforcement. A growing part of his practice involves IP disputes online, including domain name claims and related enforcement actions. Certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a specialist in Intellectual Property Law (Trademarks/Copyright), John has served as trusted counsel to some of Canada's largest marketers and brands. He supervises the obtaining, protection, and licensing of trademarks. He has overseen hundreds of successful applications and participated in numerous opposition proceedings before the Trademarks Opposition Board, as well as actions for infringement.

A recognized authority in copyright law, John is the author of McKeown, Fox, on Canadian Law of Copyright and Industrial Designs, a quarterly, loose-leaf text that has been cited by both the Supreme Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal as an authoritative source. He has also authored Brand Management in Canadian Law and Canadian Intellectual Property Law and Strategy: Trademarks, Copyright and Industrial Designs, which provide practical guidance on brand management and strategic approaches to IP law in Canada.

John serves as Chairman of the Canadian Bar Association Trademarks Committee, where he has played a key role in the trademark reform process. He also serves as Vice-Chair of both the American Bar Association Trademarks & Internet Committee and the American Bar Association Standing International IP Task Force, positioning him at the forefront of IP law development in North America.

John has received numerous accolades for his work. He is recognized by World Trade Review as "well-versed in prosecution and enforcement matters, providing practical and sound advice" and as "a true go-to trademark practitioner in Canada."

John holds degrees from Queen's University (B. Comm) and the University of Toronto (LL.B.).