Defence Sector IP Essentials: Protecting Your Competitive Advantage

Protecting intellectual property is critical for defence and security companies seeking to maintain a competitive advantage, secure investment, and support growth.

Invest Nova Scotia, in partnership with Springboard Atlantic, invite you to join us for this introductory session on intellectual property (IP)—part one of two sessions—designed specifically for companies operating in the defence sector.

Participants will gain an overview of key IP concepts and strategies for protecting valuable innovations. Whether you are an early-stage company or looking to strengthen your IP knowledge, this session will provide practical insights to help safeguard your business assets.

Protection in the defence sector is turning out to be largely about understanding your IP assets and how you can negotiate with Government or Primes to retain certain rights.  The Defence Industrial Strategy presents new opportunities to revise boilerplate IP provisions, allowing start-ups, SME’s and dual-use companies to retain and leverage their IP rights.  

Guest speaker

This session features guest speaker Erin Best, Trademark Agent & Partner at Stewart McKelvey Law.

Erin Best is a partner with Stewart McKelvey whose practice includes intellectual property, cybersecurity, privacy, commercial litigation, and defence and security matters. She advises clients on the acquisition and protection of intellectual property, including trademarks, copyright, and trade secrets, and has extensive experience developing strategic approaches to complex legal and business challenges.

Erin has appeared before all levels of court in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Federal Court, and the Supreme Court of Canada. She is the past Chair of Stewart McKelvey's Newfoundland and Labrador Litigation Group and the Canadian Bar Association's National Intellectual Property Section. Erin is recognized for helping organizations navigate complex legal issues while protecting and maximizing the value of their intellectual property.

Registration details

Registration fee: There is no registration fee. This information session is free to all Nova Scotia businesses.

How to register: To register, please click on the Eventbrite link below.

REGISTER

Registration deadline: Monday, July 20, 2026.

This is a virtual information session. A link to this webinar will be provided to registered attendees before the start of the event.

Defence Sector IP Essentials Information Session: Part 2 will be scheduled in the fall. All attendees who participating in Part 1 will be notified once the registration is open

Workshops provided by Invest Nova Scotia are primarily available to businesses based in Nova Scotia. If your company is located outside of Nova Scotia and you wish to participate, you may be added to a waitlist for future opportunities. Priority will be given to Nova Scotia-based businesses.