Brian Chau

Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP


Related services and key industries


Biography

Brian Chau focuses on intellectual property, primarily patent prosecution, strategy, and portfolio management. 

Brian specializes in examination and original drafting for patent applications in challenging subject matter areas, including software patents for computer science-based innovations relating to machine learning / artificial intelligence, distributed ledger, blockchain, and trading technologies, as well as mathematically intensive technologies such as power circuits, networking and cellular technologies. Brian has deep experience in protecting technologies from both foundational (e.g., machine learning architectures, cryprographic algorithms, and loss functions) and practical applied technology perspectives (e.g., electric vehicle drivetrains, 3D printers, smart order routers, physical network routers).

He is well versed in supporting scaling companies, and can assist with identifying and connecting with federal and provincial support programs. In particular, Brian has successfully completed a large number of projects, and acknowledges both the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario's efforts in supporting IP initiatives for the benefit of Canadians.

Brian is a Black Duck Legal Specialist and can assist companies with open source reviews.  Brian led an open source review and compliance program for a publicly listed, multinational corporation in the energy industry, and assists scaling companies with navigating emerging issues relating to open source and data governance as it relates to machine learning.

Prior to attending Osgoode Hall Law School, Brian graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from University of Toronto, worked at a multinational technology company as a software engineer, and worked at a leading professional services firm as a management consultant. 

Brian Chau is both appreciative and a proud supporter of Canada's progressive stance on equality, diversity, and inclusion policies, and looks for opportunities to give back to the community in view of his family being welcomed as refugees during conflicts in South East Asia.

Brian is qualified both as a Canadian patent agent and a US patent agent. He is also a professional engineer (Professional Engineers Ontario) and a member of Mensa Canada. 


Professional experience

Expand all Collapse all

J.D., Osgoode Hall Law School, 2012
BASc, Electrical Engineering, University of Toronto, 2007

  • Ontario 2013
  • Canada (patents) 2018
  • Dean’s Fellow (Contract Law, Property Law), Osgoode Hall Law School
  • Joseph D. Sorbara Bursary
  • Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship
  • "IP a Key Part of Due Diligence in Transactions," Law Times, February 2015
  • "Re-Visiting Patent Re-Examination Under Sections 48.1–48.5," Intellectual Property Journal, IPJ 24.3 279; Carswell, November 2012
  • IP Innovation Clinic, IP Osgoode - Open Source and Data Compliance (presenter), February 2023
  • IP Ontario (IPON) Auto Services Launch Panel (panelist), December 2022
  • 11th Annual IP Colloquium at the University of Toronto, AI as Inventor (panelist), November 2022
  • Advanced IP Project for Ontario (in collaboration with Western University) - Software and AI Modules (contributor), November 2022
  • IP Strategy Boot Camp - Commercialization of IP Rights, Western University (presenter), November 2022
  • Commericalizing IP, IP Intensive, Osgoode Hall Law School (LW3581M) (guest lecturer), February 2022 (ongoing since 2017)
  • Blockchain and IP: Smart Contracts, Protecting Innovations, Enforcing Licenses, and More (presenter), Strafford CLE Webinar, January 2020
  • Toronto Metropolitan University, Design Management II (CDDM 102) (guest lecturer), May 2017
  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association
  • Law Society of Upper Canada

 

  • English