Joan Van Zant

Biography

Joan M. Van Zant has experience in chemistry, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and agricultural products. She is National Vice-Chair of our Intellectual Property Group. Ms. Van Zant has worked in both private and corporate practice in Canada and Europe. She has prepared and prosecuted patent applications for inventions relating to agriculture, pharmaceuticals, dental care products, fuels, coatings, nylons, polyethylenes, films, packaging, adhesives, detergents, personal care products, diapers, construction products and mixing devices. Clients range from individuals to multinational corporations.

Ms. Van Zant has solid experience in portfolio development and management in highly competitive environments and due diligence matters. She acts for both patent holders and investors and prepares freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity opinions. She has given expert testimony, both orally and in the form of affidavits, in a number of cases before the Federal Court of Canada and the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. 

Year of Registration

• Canada (trade-marks) 1981
• United States (patents) 1970
• Canada (patents) 1968

EDUCATION

• B.Sc., Carleton University, 1966

Speaking Engagements

• Guest speaker at seminars on intellectual property
• Presented numerous papers on various aspects of Canadian patent and trade-mark practice in Canada and abroad

Memberships and Activities

• Intellectual Property Institute of Canada - officer 1994-99, president 1997-98
• Patents of IPIC (Chair of the Biotechnology Legislation Committee, the Forums & Seminars Committee, and the Joint Liason Committee)
• International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys
• Heads IPIC's committee concerned with regulation of the patent and trade-mark agents professions in Canada
• Heads IPIC's initiatives relating to the implementation of statutory privilege for patent and trade-mark agents
• Toronto Biotechnology Initiative
• Association of University Technology Managers
• Chemical Institute of Canada
• Instructor on the annual McGill University/IPIC Patent and Trademark courses