Intellectual property (IP) scams, misleading marketing schemes, and deceptive solicitation practices are increasingly targeting charities and not-for-profits (NFPs) because of their valuable brand assets.
IP scams are on the rise and guidance from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), suggests that these scams are becoming more coordinated, more convincing, and more tailored to their targets. In response, CIPO has introduced the IP Scam Awareness Zone, a resource to help organizations recognize, avoid, and report fraudulent IP-related communications. The resource warns that scammers often rely on publicly available data to craft targeted solicitations.
The IP Scam Awareness Zone provides examples of misleading correspondence, explains common tactics used by scammers, and encourages organizations to verify any questionable communication before taking action. It is structured as a checklist and serves as a particularly valuable first point of reference for charities and NFPs.
Charities and NFPs have recently been targeted by scams involving unsolicited emails or letters claiming that their name or logo must be urgently protected through trademark registration to prevent a third party from registering it. These messages often appear to come from legal professionals and may contain fabricated details or misleading warnings of legal consequences.
Charities and NFPs should review the IP Scam Awareness Zone and incorporate it into internal processes and, most importantly, should contact trademark counsel to review any communication whose legitimacy remains unclear.
Ultimately, the growing occurrence of these schemes reflects a broader shift, and protecting intellectual property now includes defending against those who exploit the IP system itself. For Canadian charities and NFPs, this means integrating basic awareness of IP scams into governance and risk management practices to protect resources, maintain public trust, and remain focused on advancing their missions.