François Guay is among the most experienced intellectual property litigators in Canada and a highly sought-after advisor to the largest, most innovative companies in the world. His “tactical acumen has saved the day for the likes of Microsoft, Nike and Air Canada. His ability to give reliable early cost-benefit assessments allow senior business executives to plan ahead confidently and get an edge over their competitors.” (IAM Patents 1000, 2018).
As one of the most successful IP litigator in the Country at the appellate level, his clients trust their most complex and contentious IP issues to François’s proven track record of building effective litigation strategies, and preparing highly persuasive arguments to be presented in court.
Having practiced exclusively in intellectual property litigation for three decades, François has argued many cases that have resulted in leading jurisprudence in the fields of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, unfair competition, trade secrets and computer related technology. More than 200 of the cases he has been involved in thus far have been reported in Canada.François also has a vast amount of experience with extraordinary recourses such as interim or interlocutory injunctions, seizures before judgement, and anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy matters. He has appeared before the Courts of Quebec and the Federal Court of Canada.Companies ranging from mid-size to large Canadian and foreign corporations seek François’s IP expertise on a regular basis, including:
- Microsoft Corporation
- Nike Bauer Hockey Corp.
- Bell Canada
- Rogers Communications
- The Walt Disney Company
- Air Canada
- Canadian National Railway Company (CN)
- Nobel Biocare USA
- Quadco Equipment Inc.
- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
- Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited (BAT)
- Activision Blizzard
- Chanel SARLT
- he Cheesecake Factory
- Parmalat Canada
- Shell Canada Limited
- Süd-Chemie AG
- Shake Shack
François is also a member of the firm's Executive Committee, and chair of the IP Strategy practice.
Contact & Links
- Lawyer Page: http://www.smart-biggar.ca/contacts/FrancoisGuay.cfm
Location
- 1000 De La Gauchetière Street West
Suite 3300
Montréal, QC H3B 4W5
Canada
Languages
- English
- French
Education
- University of Montreal, LL.L, graduated 1981
Bar Admissions
- Quebec, Quebec Bar 1982
Affiliations
- Association des juristes pour le droit de la vigne et du vin - Member
- Canadian Bar Association - Member
- European Communities Trade Mark Association - Member
- Intellectual Property Institute of Canada - Fellow
- International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) - Member
- International League of Competition Law (LIDC) - Member
- International Trademark Association - Member
Smart & Biggar
31 The Best Lawyers in Canada™ awards
Full Firm Profile
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Intellectual Property Law, Montréal, Canada (2021)
- Intellectual Property Law, Montréal, Canada (2019)
- Intellectual Property Law, Montréal, Canada (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada™ 2023 for work in:
- Intellectual Property Law
Special Focus:
- Litigation
Awards:
- Named Canada's Trademark Litigator of the Year for 2013 and 2014 by Benchmark Canada
- Recognized annually since the inaugural edition in 2012 as a 'Local Litigation Star' in Benchmark Canada under Intellectual Property
- Recognized annually as an 'IP Star' since the inaugural edition in 2014 of Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars Handbook: Trademark & Copyright
- Recognized in The LEXPERT®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada under Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Litigation
- Recognized in each edition of Euromoney's Expert Guides: Guide to the World's Leading Trademark Law Practitioners since 2012
- Recognized annually since the inaugural edition in 2011 of World Trademark Review 1000 – The Definitive Guide to Trademark Legal Services
- Named 2011 Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year for Montreal by Best Lawyers
- Recognized annually since the inaugural edition in 2006 of The Best Lawyers in Canada under Intellectual Property Law
- Recognized annually since the inaugural edition in 2006 of Chambers Global — The World's Leading Lawyers for Business under Intellectual Property: Litigation
- Recognized annually in Who's Who Legal: Patents since 2009
- Featured in Lexpert's Special Edition on Litigation and The Globe and Mail's Report on Business Magazine as a Leading Canadian Litigator since 2008
- Selected to appear in The Canadian Legal LEXPERT® Directory under Intellectual Property and Litigation — Intellectual Property
- Recognized annually in the LEXPERT® Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Litigation Lawyers in Canada under Intellectual Property Litigation since 2007
- Recognized annually since the inaugural edition in 2012 of IAM Patent 1000 - The World's Leading Patent Practitioners under Litigation
- Recognized annually in IAM Patent Litigation 250 — The World's Leading Patent Litigators since the inaugural edition in 2011
- Recognized in each edition of Euromoney's Expert Guides: Patents since 2007
- Martindale-Hubbell, Peer Review Rated, AV® Preeminent™
- Recognized annually in PLC Which Lawyer? under IP: patent litigation since 2007
- Recognized annually since the inaugural edition in 2010 of Who's Who Legal: Canada under Patents
- Recognized in the 2015 edition of Who’s Who Legal 100 under Intellectual Property
Qualifications
- Registered Trademark Agent 1983
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