Trademark Proceedings: 2026 Update

WOW- what a year for HFH.  Where do we even begin? Basically over a year ago, a global pharmaceutical company came after us for our trademark, which is currently blocking a trademark they have submitted. 

After over a year of proceedings, back and forth arguments, a hearing, stress and being in limbo regarding the fate of a brand I’ve been building for 10+ years, I finally got the news from our lawyer that we WON! We are able to maintain our trademark and can continue to do the work we do. But I can't get too excited… the requesting party AKA big pharma’s lawyer has until the end of March to appeal this decision to the Federal Court of Canada. Yep... it's truly never-ending. 

We won because we proved we have used our trademark over the years in question.  For all the founders and business owners out there- if you are financially able- trademark your brand name, in the accurate scope of the work you do. The purpose of this type of proceeding is to remove “deadwood” aka trademarks that aren’t being used, however, still for many of us who are using them, we’re at risk of a corporation with deep pockets wanting our trademark and coming after us. Not to mention, although we have been able to maintain our trademark, big pharma does not have to pay our legal fees back, which was a considerable expense for us as a sole proprietor. But if we didn't have this trademark at all- our brand would be done and we'd have to start over-which takes money. It's actually wild to think... 10+ years of heath education, awareness, policy change and advocacy at both the municipal and federal level- and it could be gone like THAT. 

Obviously there are things beyond your control, but if you can protect yourself and all of the good work you’re doing from massive corporations and trademark: DO IT. Thank you to everyone for all of your support so far and we’ll keep you all updated at the end of March when this is finally resolved!