EXCELLENCE
ON A HUMAN
SCALE

Samy is a Lawyer (Quebec Bar), a registered Trademark Agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), and a patent technical advisor.

He first studied biochemistry at the University of Montreal before obtaining his law degree there. His scientific background, combined with his legal training, allows him to approach technical matters with rigor and propose legal solutions tailored to his clients’ commercial and technological realities.

Before joining DECODE, Samy practiced at a law firm specializing in intellectual property located in downtown Montreal. There, he represented clients in cases involving patents, trademarks, copyright, industrial designs, and various business law issues.

As a Trademark Agent, Samy develops filing and registration strategies in Canada and internationally, prepares opinions on their registrability, and supports his clients at every stage of the process before the CIPO. As a patent technical advisor, he participates in the analysis of innovations, the drafting and prosecution of patent applications, and works closely with inventors to translate complex scientific and technical concepts into effective protection strategies.

Samy takes a strategic and pragmatic approach, focused on understanding his clients’ business objectives and implementing effective and sustainable solutions. He is involved in both protection and registration as well as strategic and contractual advice related to intangible assets.

Samy is fluent in French and English.

Mathieu Audet is a patent agent and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sherbrooke. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of patents and industrial designs in Canada, the United States and the European Community.

Mathieu has acquired a solid experience in the field of product development; he has worked for the transportation equipment manufacturer Bombardier Inc. and as a director in various other companies. Having fully appreciated the importance of patents in the creative process and in business strategies, he moved from product development to the patent field.

He worked for several years at Bombardier Recreational Products, where he was responsible for the intellectual property activities of the advanced design group as well as various other development teams.
Subsequently, he worked in intellectual property at Goudreault Gage Dubuc, BCF and for one of the major Canadian law firms Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt. His responsibilities ranged from traditional IP work to supporting creative teams in integrating IP issues into their development process and strategies. His expertise, based on unique practical experience, allows him to offer sophisticated strategies to companies.

In addition to assisting clients, Mr. Audet is also a productive inventor who has filed over 100 patents bearing his name. Through his company Maya-Systems Inc. he has also developed a portion of this patent portfolio with Apple Inc.

Marc is a registered patent agent for Canada and the USA. He provides intellectual property expertise to innovative clients in several technical fields, including but not limited to: IT, telecommunications, aerospace and mechanical technologies.

Marc takes his profession to heart. He was a member of IPIC’s Patent Agent Self-Regulation Committee, and served for three years on the Canadian Patent Agent Exam Board.

Marc spent twelve years in the Canadian Armed Forces; seven of which he was an Aerospace Engineering Officer. He was then hired as a patent agent trainee at Smart & Biggar and thereafter at Goudreau Gage Dubuc, two Intellectual Property firms. In 2000, he took on the position of Intellectual Property Manager at Hyperchip, a startup in the network router business. In 2002, he joined Ogilvy Renault (Now Norton, Rose, Fullbright) as a Patent Agent and joined the partnership in 2006. Finally, he founded Benoît & Co in 2008 and co-founded BENOÎT & CÔTÉ with France in 2009. 

Finally, Marc works most of the time with his best friend Max by his side.

Audrey is a Senior Trademark Agent with over 10 years of experience in the field of intellectual property.

She develops filing and registration strategies and provides strategic advice on the protection and management of trademark portfolios in Canada, in the United-States, and abroad.

Audrey’s in-house experience allows her to better understand her clients’ reality, to provide them with practical solutions that skillfully consider their interests, situation, and constraints.

She has a pragmatic approach to the management of trademark portfolios, whether for strategic assistance during the adoption of new trademarks or the various stages of the registration process with the Trademarks Office. She is frequently called upon to conduct trademark availability searches, prepare opinions on their registrability, and intervene in prosecuting complex applications.

Before joining DÉCODE, Audrey was responsible for managing the trademark portfolio within the Cirque du Soleil legal team, in addition to supporting them in the drafting of various contracts. She also practiced in two leading intellectual property and business law firms in Montreal.

Audrey is fluent in both French and English.

Charles-André has a degree in Engineering Physics from École Polytechnique de Montréal. During his studies, he received numerous scholarships and awards for his work. Over the years, he has been involved as a research assistant in experimental physics and in natural systems modeling at various universities. He developed skills in applied physics, modeling, computer programming, energy technologies and geosciences.

Charles-André joined DÉCODE in 2013 as a patent technological advisor.  He specializes in engineering physics, mechanical and electrical engineering, software and consumer products. He also works as a Certified Patent Valuation Analyst (CPVA) to determine how much patents and other intellectual property assets are worth.

Philip Conrad is a lawyer licensed in the United States and registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and is senior counsel with the firm. He specializes in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, opinions of patentability, infringement, validity and freedom to operate, and client counselling regarding intellectual property portfolio strategies.

Mr. Conrad has over twenty-five years of experience in intellectual property law, working primarily in private practice in Boston, Massachusetts and in Montreal. He has worked with a wide range of technologies and has particular experience in the fields of optics, mass spectrometry, crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, medical instruments and electronic control systems.

Mr. Conrad has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a Juris Doctor cum laude from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. He is member of the bar of Massachusetts, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court (District of Massachusetts) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

In 2015, he joined DÉCODE.

France is a patent agent registered to act before the Canadian and United States Patent Offices. France’s expertise allows her to represent a wide range of clients. She works with start-up and multi-national biotechnology companies, as well as domestic and international universities and research institutes. France assists clients in the prosecution and management of patent applications, in the strategic planning of their patent portfolios, due diligence analysis of portfolios and related prospectus drafting for initial public offerings.

Although France’s background is biochemistry, her expertise is varied and includes inventions in the following fields: simple mechanics, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals and business methods.

She has been active in the training of new biotech patent agents through her involvement with the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and McGill University. France has served as Chair of the IPIC/McGill Course Liaison Committee from 1997 to 2001, Assistant director of the 1995 and 1996 IPIC/McGill patent courses and director of the course in 1997.

France started in the profession at Goudreau Gage Dubuc in 1988. France joined Swabey Ogilvy Renault in 1992 and became a partner in 1998. After the merger with Ogilvy Renault she was the chair of the Montreal IP group from 2003 to 2005. France was a co-founding partner of the Montreal Office of Bereskin & Parr in 2005.

In 2009, France joined Marc to co-found BENOÎT & CÔTÉ.

A lawyer (Quebec Bar) in intellectual property and a registered trademark agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), Ismaël’s practice encompasses all aspects of intellectual property: trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs and trade secrets. His wide-ranging expertise enables him to act on a variety of mandates: filing and pursuing applications for registration, portfolio management, contentious proceedings and litigation, commercial contracts and licenses, regulatory issues, and strategic advice on transactional matters.

His clientele is made up of creative, innovative and technological companies operating in a wide range of sectors, including: software, electronic devices, biotech and medtech, industrial equipment, automotive, fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, sport and fitness, music, media and entertainment, food and beverages, and more.

Highly pragmatic, Ismaël is able to deal with complex intellectual property issues to provide practical, tailor-made solutions for his clients, all from a business perspective.

Thanks to his network of foreign correspondents built up through INTA (International Trademarks Association), Ismaël is able to provide worldwide support to companies wishing to go international.

His expertise is recognized by the World Trademark Review (WTR 1000) as “World’s Leading Trademark Professional”.

Ismaël is also a Recognized IP Lawyer with the Canadian International Internet Dispute Resolution Centre (CIIDRC).

Mathieu is a patent agent registered to act before the Canadian and United States Patent Offices. Mathieu’s expertise allows him to represent clients ranging from start-up, mid-size and multi-national companies and organizations, as well as domestic and international universities. Mathieu assists clients in the drafting, prosecution and management of patent applications, prior art searches, due diligence analysis of portfolios, and the preparation of validity, infringement, or freedom-to-operate opinions.

Mathieu’s background is biochemistry, but his expertise is varied and includes inventions in the following fields: simple mechanics, medical devices, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals and business methods.

Mathieu performed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Génome Québec and McGill University Innovation Center, where he studied DNA microarray data analysis, to then occupy a Scientific Coordinator position for the development of « FlexArray », a software tool for DNA microarray data analysis.

Mathieu started his career in intellectual property in 2007 by joining the Montréal office of Bereskin & Parr, to then joined the DÉCODE team in 2009. He became a licensed patent agent in Canada in 2011, and in the United States in 2012.

Surena is an engineer and Patent Agent with a background in mechanical engineering, having obtained a Bachelor’s degree in London, England, and a Master’s degree in Montréal. He specializes in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the mechanical domain, including medical devices and manufacturing methods. Surena also works with software and process applications.

Prior to joining DECODE, Surena gained valuable experience working at a large manufacturer of process equipment, and in a renowned IP boutique law firm.

Surena works in French and English.

EDUCATION

· MASc, Master of Applied Science Mechanical Engineering, Concordia University (2016)

· B. Eng., Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of London (2011)

MEMBERSHIPS

· Order of Engineers of Quebec (OIQ Member No. 5088522)

· College of Patent Agents & Trademark Agents (CPATA)

Danny is an engineer and a patent agent. He has over twenty years of experience in intellectual property (IP). His practice focuses primarily on the drafting and prosecution of patent and industrial design applications, as well as in opinion work. He also provides assistance with strategic management of international IP portfolios as well as licensing and technology partnership issues.

Danny started working in product development, notably for a Canadian manufacturer of recreational products, aircrafts, and rail vehicles, before shifting to managing its international patent portfolio. Particularly, he developed and implemented an intellectual property management strategy where the IP Function is considered a strategic partner involved from the onset and throughout the whole intellectual property creation process. As a result, the IP Function is better aligned with corporate objectives and better integrated with the R&D Function, allowing the company to mitigate some IP associated risks and to capture the maximum value from its investment in innovation. Danny has also advised the company on the management of its intellectual property in technology partnerships, both in Canada and abroad, including China.

As an entrepreneur, Danny headed his own company for a few years, commercializing one of his patented inventions: an alpine ski helmet with an integrated visor. He developed, prototyped, and patented his technology, sought financing, and then negotiated and licensed it to a well-established French manufacturer. The latter introduced the technology on its helmets, of which several thousand units were sold in many countries. With this experience, Danny is very well positioned to understand the reality of his clients and advise them wisely.

Danny speaks French and English.

Heidi is a partner and trademark agent in DECODE’s new Ottawa office. She has 30 years of experience in trademark clearance, protection, and enforcement. Prior to joining DECODE, Heidi founded and operated JENSEN IP for 15 years, ranking amongst the top 40 practices in terms of volume of trademark applications filed at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). Her firm was ranked in the WTR1000 as a leading Canadian trademark prosecution firm.

Heidi has developed and implemented brand protection strategies for some of the world’s most valuable and recognized brands, applying her deep expertise in trademark law and broad marketplace knowledge. She represents companies from a broad range of sectors, including sports apparel, cosmetics, mining, alcohol and energy beverages, telecom, ecommerce, banking, and online marketplaces. Heidi uses her extensive experience in searching and clearance to advise business owners and in-house counsel on navigating the trademark landscape in Canada and expanding their scope of protection before the Trademarks Office.

Heidi has worked with SME’s under the Elevate IP program, a government initiative to help startups and technology-intensive businesses strategically manage and protect their intellectual property. She is a strong believer in the importance of intellectual property protection and its impact on the Canadian economy. She sits on the Registration Committee of the College of Patent Agents & Trademark Agents (CPATA), assisting the Registrar of Trademarks in administering the College’s licensing requirements. In her qualifying year, Heidi was the recipient of the J. Guy Pratte Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC) to the candidate who achieves the highest standing in the Canadian Trademark Agent Examination.

Irina Kostko is a Lawyer (Quebec Bar, 2014) and Patent Agent. She helps inventors obtain patents in various fields of engineering, including electrical engineering, telecommunications, and information technology. For the past 9 yeas, Irina drafted and prosecuted numerous patent applications for startups, SMEs, and telecommunication and information technology giants.

Irina thrives in building and maintaining trusted relationships with inventors due to her deep knowledge and expertise in engineering, and her industrial and academic research experience. She has helped inventors from all over the world. Irina is fluent in three languages: English, French, and Russian.

Prior to attending law school, Irina designed transmitters and other devices for fiber-optic communications while working in the academia and the industry in the UK and in Canada. Irina created simulation software for optimization of high-speed telecommunication lasers. Thus, algorithms and C++ codes are not strangers to her.

Irina is a co-author of over thirty scientific publications. (That is how she became fond of technical writing.) She also lectured theoretical and practical classes in fiber optics, optoelectronics, and numerical computer simulations at Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal and McGill University.

Irina then decided to switch gears by pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Montreal. After graduating, she dived into intellectual property law.

A lawyer with a dual legal and scientific background – with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology (Honours – McGill University, 2019) and a bachelor’s degree in law (Université de Montréal, 2022) – Zi Yu also acts as a technical patent advisor in the life sciences practice group.

Zi Yu completed an internship at CreatiUM, the intellectual property legal clinic of the Université de Montréal, where she provided legal information to individuals on various aspects of intellectual property law.

Prior to joining DÉCODE in 2024, Isabelle spent more than 6 years working as an in-house intellectual property specialist at a biopharmaceutics company in Québec City. She also spent time working as a patent agent in a large Canadian IP firm.

In addition to having a wealth of intellectual property portfolio management experience at both local and international levels, Isabelle specializes in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in various fields of biology and biotechnology. Isabelle is used to provide services to small and medium enterprises as well as larger companies and organizations. She is also familiar with IP-specific funding opportunities in Quebec and Canada. Her approach is centered on adaptability and collaboration, in order to build and develop a sustainable client relationship.

Isabelle holds a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, one of the world’s foremost medical universities. She also has a degree in intellectual property from the Center for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) at the University of Strasbourg, in France.

Martin has degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science from Université Laval. During the following years, he continued to improve his knowledge through multiples courses in Project Management, Six Sigma, electric and autonomous vehicles, logistic, quality, simulation and computer modelling.

During his professional years, Martin Roy worked as an in-house patent manager over ten years with different companies before getting in an intellectual property firm. Since 2015, Martin takes part in the team of DÉCODE as a technical consultant.

During his academic years, Ibrahim was exposed to a wide range of technologies in the high-tech field and was responsible for the design and implementation of several projects including a voice-command system (I.P.N.E.T. 2001), and a robot which is wirelessly controlled by a PDA (U. of O. 2003).

Prior to joining the Intellectual Property profession Ibrahim held the position of a Research Assistant at the labs of the University of Ottawa. His research involved studies on “Coherent demodulation and multi-user detection in a CDMA system”.

Ibrahim joined the Intellectual Property profession in March 2004 by joining G.Ronald Bell & Associates. He became a licensed patent agent in Canada in 2007, and joined Borden Ladner Gervais in March 2008. He obtained his U.S. patent agent registration in 2009.

In May 2010, Ibrahim joined DÉCODE.

Ibrahim specializes in the drafting and prosecution of patent applications for high-tech and mechanical inventions for Canada and the United States, as well as industrial design applications. He also prepares patentability, infringement, and validity opinions.

Ibrahim works with start-up companies to provide them with IP strategies that fit their business needs.