Boosting Canada's Edge: An IP-Driven Strategy with McGill's Expertise: A Q&A with Professor Martin Bader

An Interview between David Durand, President of FORPIQ, and Professor Martin Bader

In today's fiercely competitive global landscape, intellectual property (IP) has emerged as a critical driver of economic growth and national competitiveness. To delve into how Canada can leverage IP to solidify its position, David Durand, attorney and trademark agent, President of the Forum International de la Propriété Intellectuelle-Québec (FORPIQ) and co-founder of MVIP Solutions, sat down with Professor Martin Bader, an Adjunct Professor at the McGill University, School of Continuing Studies (McGill SCS), and a renowned expert in IP and innovation management. Professor Bader also serves as a Full Professor of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Applied Sciences Ingolstadt (THI), Germany, is a Swiss and European Patent Attorney and founder of the specialized IP management advisory boutique BGW IP, Switzerland.

David Durand

David Durand (FORPIQ): Professor Bader, thank you for joining us. Canada is a nation rich in innovation, but many feel we could do more to translate that innovation into sustained competitive advantage on the global stage. From your perspective, what are the key challenges and opportunities for Canada in strengthening its competitive edge, particularly through the lens of intellectual property?

Prof. Martin Bader (McGill SCS): Thank you, David. It's a crucial discussion. Canada certainly has a strong foundation in research and development (R&D), a highly educated workforce, and a stable financial system. However, a significant challenge lies in effectively capturing, managing, and commercializing the intellectual property that flows from this innovation. Often, Canadian companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, don't fully integrate IP into their core business strategy. This can lead to missed opportunities, whether it's through insufficient protection, ineffective licensing, or simply not understanding the true value of their intangible assets.

The opportunity, therefore, is immense. By fostering a stronger IP culture, and by equipping businesses with the knowledge and tools to strategically manage their IP, Canada can add on being a "resource economy" another, new level of "knowledge economy." This means a greater focus on high-value, IP-intensive industries that generate long-term wealth and create high-paying jobs.

David: That's a vital point – moving beyond just creating IP to strategically managing it. This brings us to the McGill SCS Intellectual Property Strategy for Business course. Could you elaborate on what inspired the development of this program and its core objectives?

Prof. Martin Bader

Martin: The inspiration for the McGill SCS Intellectual Property Strategy for Business course stems directly from the recognition of this gap. While there are excellent legal programs focused on IP, there was a clear need for a training that bridges the legal and business aspects of IP. Many business leaders, entrepreneurs, and even R&D professionals, while brilliant in their fields, lack a holistic understanding of how IP can be a strategic asset.

The course's core objective is to empower participants – from business executives to research and development managers to entrepreneurs and legal professionals – with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement effective IP strategies that align with their overall business goals. It's about demystifying IP and showing how it can be a powerful tool for growth, market differentiation, risk mitigation, and ultimately, value creation.

David: What are some of the key areas that the McGill SCS Intellectual Property Strategy for Business course covers? What makes it unique in its approach?

Martin: The McGill SCS Intellectual Property Strategy for Business course is designed to be highly practical and business-oriented. Our focus is not on legal theory but on how IP can be actively managed as a strategic asset to drive growth, competitiveness, and value creation. Participants gain insights into real business practices in IP management—how leading companies integrate IP into their decision-making, investment strategies, and market positioning.

What makes this program unique is its strong emphasis on IP strategy and execution within business. We explore how IP impacts the bottom line, how to align IP with corporate objectives, and how to transform intangible assets into tangible business outcomes. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussions, participants learn from seasoned practitioners and industry leaders who share their experiences in areas such as IP strategy frameworks, risk mitigation, technology transfer, and value creation including non-traditional commercialization scenarios. The goal is to equip professionals with actionable tools to turn IP from a cost sink into a competitive advantage.

David: In your opinion, how will professionals who complete this course be better equipped to contribute to Canada's economic competitiveness?

Martin: Professionals who complete this course will be fundamentally better equipped to drive Canada's economic competitiveness in several ways. Firstly, they will possess a strategic, value oriented mindset towards IP. They won't see IP as merely a legal cost centre, but as a core business asset that can generate revenue, attract investment, and enhance market position.

Secondly, they will be able to identify and capture value from their innovations more effectively. This means securing appropriate protection, negotiating stronger licensing agreements, and making informed decisions about technology transfer.

Thirdly, they will contribute to building IP-savvy organizations. By understanding how IP can be integrated into R&D, marketing, sales, and even human resources, they can foster a culture where IP is valued and proactively managed across the entire enterprise. This shift, replicated across many Canadian businesses, will lead to a more robust, innovative, and competitive national economy.

David: What message would you give to Canadian businesses, large and small, regarding the importance of investing in IP management education for their teams?

Martin: My message is clear: IP is no longer optional; it's existential. In a global economy driven by knowledge and innovation, your intellectual property can be your most valuable asset. Ignoring it, or treating it as an afterthought, is akin to ignoring your financial capital.

For businesses of all sizes, investing in IP management education for your teams is not an expense; it's a strategic investment with a high return. It empowers your employees to think strategically about innovation, to identify opportunities, and to protect the fruits of your R&D efforts. It also helps mitigate significant risks, such as costly litigation or the loss of market share due to unprotected innovations. Embrace IP as a strategic imperative, and Canada will undoubtedly strengthen its competitive advantage on the world stage.

David: You are also an accomplished writer, having edited a few books, e.g., Patent Management–Protecting Intellectual Property and Innovation and Intellectual Property Management for Start-ups–Enhancing Value and Leveraging the Potential, of which you invited me to write a chapter on the role of investment in IP (see here). Can you tell our readers how and why you got into publishing?

Martin:  As a seasoned educator, strategist, and practitioner of IP strategy and innovation management with over two decades of international experience in academia, industry, and policy advisory, writing a book is a good way to share what you've learned. Nevertheless, you’ll also find many of my practitioner articles, scientific papers, and studies out there.

David: Professor Bader, thank you for these invaluable insights. Your expertise and the work being done through the McGill SCS Intellectual Property Strategy for Business course are clearly vital for Canada's future.

Martin: My pleasure, David. The conversation, expertise and implementation around IP in Canada is gaining momentum, and I'm optimistic about the positive impact we can make together.

Join us at #FORPIQ2025: Strengthening Canada’s competitive advantage in a global economy, either online or in person (subject approval). 

The statements made during this interview represent the personal views of the speaker and should not be interpreted as official positions or endorsements by McGill University or McGill School of Continuing Studies.