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File a Trademark for $399 + $250 Government Filing Fee

Trademark Attorney Working With Clients in Whitby, Ontario

If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.S. can be expensive and arduous.

This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.

So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Whitby, Ontario.

At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.S. trademark filing, U.S. trademark responses, and U.S. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.

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Sausser Summers, PC: Simplifying the U.S. Trademark Process

Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.

Using a trademark attorney for filing in Whitby, Ontario, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.S. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.

At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.

In terms of filing a U.S. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:

1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.

2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.S. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.

3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.S. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.

The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.

Online Trademark Attorney Whitby, Ontario
The bottom line?

At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.

Do I Really Need a Trademark Attorney for Protecting My Business in Whitby, Ontario?

It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.

The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.

Additional Benefits of Using a Trademark Attorney

Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:

Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.

Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.

Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.

Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.

Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.

Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.

Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.

 Online Trademark Lawyer Whitby, Ontario

Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.

What About Online Filing Services?

Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Whitby, Ontario.

 Trademark Attorney Whitby, Ontario

Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.

In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.

For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.

Understanding Trademarks Over Time

Trademarks in the U.S. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Whitby, Ontario can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.

The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.

 Trademark Law Firm Whitby, Ontario

Steps to Renew Your Trademark

Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.

During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.

After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.

It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.

By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Whitby, Ontario, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.

Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Abandonment

In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.

Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Inappropriate Licensing

In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.

How to Avoid Having to Refile Your Trademark

If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.

To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.

It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.

Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.

 Trademark Lawyer Whitby, Ontario
 Trademark Firm Whitby, Ontario

What Makes an Online Trademark Attorney Great?

At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.

It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.

When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.

Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.

In summary:

  • Be sure you're using a licensed trademark attorney helping clients in Whitby, Ontario.
  • It's best to work with a trademark lawyer who has years of experience filing trademarks.
  • Ensure that your trademark lawyer is willing to provide ongoing notifications relating to your trademark application process.
 Trademark Registration Lawyer Whitby, Ontario

Trademark Attorneys Working Hard for You

Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.

With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.

If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.

Latest News in Whitby, Ontario

Valhallan Esports Training Brings Youth Esports to Ontario with its First Arena Opening in Whitby

WHITBY, Ontario, Jan. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valhallan Esports Training, the largest and fastest-growing youth esports franchise, has announced the opening of their first arena in Whitby. Located at 114 Dundas St E Unit 212, the location will celebrate its official grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 1 pm EST.The very first Valhallan franchise to open in Ontario, the arena will provide a space for competitive gaming for youth between the ages of 7 to 17 years. Players will be able to trai...

WHITBY, Ontario, Jan. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valhallan Esports Training, the largest and fastest-growing youth esports franchise, has announced the opening of their first arena in Whitby. Located at 114 Dundas St E Unit 212, the location will celebrate its official grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 1 pm EST.

The very first Valhallan franchise to open in Ontario, the arena will provide a space for competitive gaming for youth between the ages of 7 to 17 years. Players will be able to train and compete in esports competitions in top games such as Overwatch, Fortnite, APEX, Rocket League, and Valorant. Through coaching and team collaboration, the players also learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership.

Players can enroll in monthly memberships which gives them access to weekly sessions. During each session, players will be mentored by coaches who will classify them into different skill levels while focusing on building teamwork, sportsmanship, and life skills. A specific curriculum will be designed for each player's skill level dedicated to teaching them the latest game updates, healthy habits, and technical skills.

The facility will also host esports themed camps and special events throughout the year inviting players to connect and have fun while fostering self-confidence, communication skills and leadership skills.

Manny Tiamzon, Owner of Valhallan Esports Training Whitby shares, “We are so excited to bring Ontario’s very first Valhallan Esports Training facility to the town of Whitby. We are looking forward to bringing the exciting world of esports to families in the local community while building a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for youth to compete, learn, and enhance their gaming abilities.”

About Valhallan Esports Training

Valhallan Esports Training brings education, life skills, and inclusive competition to the world of youth esports. Founded in Houston, Texas, and expanding globally, Valhallan Esports Training originated out of a belief that video games can be a means for enriching lives and creating community for young people. Valhallan players come to their local arena each week for coaching, training, and competition in a fun and safe environment. Players can learn more at www.arenas.valhallan.com/whitby-on-ca.

For further information, please contact: Manny Tiamzon at whitbyonca@valhallan.com

'Twice in a lifetime opportunity': Ontario woman to compete in Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions

Juveria Zaheer used to watch “Jeopardy!” a lot with her family when she was a little girl. She followed Ken Jennings’ historical winning streak in 2004 and considers the late Alex Trebek as one of the most famous Canadians out there. Now, she’s competing in the Tournament of Champions.Hailing from Whitby, Ont., the 41-year-old psychiatr...

Juveria Zaheer used to watch “Jeopardy!” a lot with her family when she was a little girl. She followed Ken Jennings’ historical winning streak in 2004 and considers the late Alex Trebek as one of the most famous Canadians out there. Now, she’s competing in the Tournament of Champions.

Hailing from Whitby, Ont., the 41-year-old psychiatrist and associate professor’s journey on the trivia show actually started over a year ago. In that first episode, which aired in May 2023, she competed against Hannah Wilson, who defeated Zaheer during her initial appearance of her eight-game winning streak.

“She is just unbelievable, and the first half of the game, I was like, ‘Oh no, this is terrible.’ I felt my heart beating in my ears. I felt like I wanted to sink through the floor – nothing was going right,” Zaheer told CTV News Toronto.

“I think that because everything happened so fast, I sort of focused on learning as much as I could, learning as much content, but didn’t think as much about like, ‘What does this mean to me? And how is this going to feel? And how do I stay calm?’”

But, once that game was over, Zaheer didn’t lose hope – she started to prepare for the off-chance that she would get called back to the show.

“There was a part of me that thought like, ‘You know, Juveria, you played pretty well. Is there a chance they might ask you back?’” Zaheer said, adding she tried learning as much as she could in the interim.

“It’s such a once in a lifetime, or twice in a lifetime, opportunity that I thought, ‘If there’s a small chance I’m going to get called back for a Second Chance [Tournament], I’m going to be ready, and I’m gonna give it my all.’”

The mother of two said she read constantly, always pushing herself to learn about new things. And, it paid off. Last Halloween, she said she was called back to the show – something she was “extremely” excited about and now felt less scared for.

“When I got out there, I remember having this feeling come over me of like, you can win or lose your bearings but you’re doing the best you can. You’re being brave and you are having fun,” Zaheer said.

“My daughters were there, my two girls, and my husband were there, and it was the first time that they had ever seen me play and so I just remember thinking, ‘Be brave for your girls and show them what you can do.’”

Zaheer won, earning a two-day final total of US$70,800 (the highest score of all Second Chance victors). Plus, in her first game of the finals, Zaheer set three single-game highs for the season, including 32 correct responses and a Daily Double total of US$20,000.

After weeks of winning, Zaheer secured her position in the upcoming Tournament of Champions – which starts broadcasting this Friday – after winning the quiz game’s Champions Wild Card tournament and the US$100,000 prize.

“Everything happened really fast. My first episode aired on Dec. 20, and so before that, I had never won a game of “Jeopardy!”” Zaheer said. “I feel like I’ve been in Culver City more than I’ve been in Whitby, in a sense, in the last few months but it’s been such an adventure, for sure.”

While Zaheer has been excited by her second chance on the show, she said the most important thing is her representation on the screen and the example she sets for her two daughters, Hana and Zara.

“I think it was important to me to be able to represent for women and women of colour, who tend not to show up on the “Jeopardy!” stages often, and to represent for moms too,” Zaheer said.

“I tell [my] daughters that anything worth doing has a chance of failure. I lost on “Jeopardy!,” my brother was an amazing player but lost on “Survivor,” [my] daughters have seen two family members lose in front of millions of people, but what we hope it’s taught them is that anything worth doing is also worth failing at, and all you can do is be brave, be proud, and try your best.”

The Tournament of Champions starts airing Feb. 23 with Zaheer set to appear in the Feb. 29 episode.

Post Malone buys One Ring Magic card found in Whitby, Ontario

Singer-songwriter and huge Magic: The Gathering fan Post Malone purchased the super-rare One Ring card after it was found in Whitby, Ontario, early last month.Brook Trafton shared a brief video on TikTok of him meeting Post Malone and handin...

Singer-songwriter and huge Magic: The Gathering fan Post Malone purchased the super-rare One Ring card after it was found in Whitby, Ontario, early last month.

Brook Trafton shared a brief video on TikTok of him meeting Post Malone and handing over the One Ring. Though the video didn’t disclose the amount Trafton sold the card for, comments under the video claim Post Malone paid $2.6 million (it’s not clear whether that was USD or CAD). However, that claim is unverified and may not be accurate.

When the card was first found, it was valued at $2 million USD (about $2.6 million CAD).

@brooktrafton When I found the One Ring, the first person who came to mind was @Post Malone. I have played MTG since I was a kid and obviously it would be amazing to keep this card. But for a guy like me, being able to sell it is life changing. I just really hoped it would go to someone who would appreciate it as much as I do. This is my dream come true, meeting Post Malone and him buying the One Ring card from me is literally a moment straight out of a fairytale. Post Malone @Magic: The Gathering you have changed my life. Things like this don’t happen to people like me, I guess it’s magic. I am forever grateful #postmalone #onering #oneofone #mtg #magic #mint #psa #card #magicthegathering #lordoftherings #trading #tradingcards #theonering #sauron #collector #edition #one #gandalf #tradingcardgame ♬ original sound – Brook Trafton

“I have played MTG since I was a kid and obviously it would be amazing to keep this card. But for a guy like me, being able to sell it is life changing. I just really hoped it would go to someone who would appreciate it as much as I do,” Trafton wrote in the description of the video.

Header image credit: Magic: The Gathering

Source: Brook Trafton (TikTok)

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Super rare $2 million ‘One Ring’ Magic card found in Whitby, Ontario

The Magic: The Gathering (MTG) ‘One Ring’ card has been pulled. A Whitby, Ontario resident has reportedly found this heavily sought-after card.The owner currently remains anonymous, though we do know a Maximum Cards customer pulled the card. The retailer later revealed the card was not pulled while in the store.“It was taken, he acquired legal representation, who then had it taken down to PSA ...

The Magic: The Gathering (MTG) ‘One Ring’ card has been pulled. A Whitby, Ontario resident has reportedly found this heavily sought-after card.

The owner currently remains anonymous, though we do know a Maximum Cards customer pulled the card. The retailer later revealed the card was not pulled while in the store.

“It was taken, he acquired legal representation, who then had it taken down to PSA and had to grade it in person,” a Maximum Card representative told Dextero.

The card was later graded by PSA, the world’s largest and most trusted grading service. The card has been graded with Mint 9, meaning it’s in excellent condition with few imperfections. The highest rating a card can receive is GEM-MT10. With this in mind, the One Ring card will likely have a lot of bidders.

Breaking News

The hunt is over! We can confirm that the 1/1 The One Ring has been PULLED!

Stay tuned as more details become available.

— Dave & Adam's (@dacardworld) June 30, 2023

The One Ring is a unique card introduced in The Lord of the Rings set for MTG. Before its discovery, collectors reportedly paid as high as $2 million USD (around $2.6 million CAD) for the card. The One Ring card would be the most expensive MTG card ever sold if it sells for this amount. Aside from The One Ring, MTG’s Black Lotus has been auctioned for upwards of $500,000 USD (roughly $662,000 CAD).

With the discovery of the One Ring card, it’s likely that the value of Magic: The Gathering’s Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth Collector Booster packs will decrease. However, even though the rarest card is no longer out there, many other limited edition MTG cards are still yet to be found.

Image credit: Magic: The Gathering

Via: The Gamer

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Paid blood plasma collection site confirmed for Whitby

On Tuesday, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) said the Whitby site would be one of five – in Ontario – to be run by Grifols, a Spanish pharmaceutical company. The union denounced the practice of paying for plasma, arguing it could exploit people in financial need.Grifols noted last year that it ...

On Tuesday, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) said the Whitby site would be one of five – in Ontario – to be run by Grifols, a Spanish pharmaceutical company. The union denounced the practice of paying for plasma, arguing it could exploit people in financial need.

Grifols noted last year that it expected the Ontario sites to be open in 2024.

CBS itself does not pay for blood or plasma, but it does have an exemption under the Voluntary Blood Donations Act. The agency said Grifols will operate as one of its agents, under the Act.

Plasma is a yellow fluid that forms a key part of human blood. It can be used to produce medicines known as immunoglobulins, which perform a variety of functions. They are usually used to boost weak immune systems, or to calm down overactive immune systems that have begun attacking the body.

CBS signed a deal in 2022 with Grifols in an effort to bolster Canada’s plasma supply.

According to the blood agency, Grifols will need to make sure the plasma it collects in Canada will be used exclusively to make medicine for Canadian patients. The agency says this will reduce its reliance on the global market.

Meantime, OPSEU argues the deal privatizes plasma collection in Canada. The union also argued it could disincentivize people from donating blood and instead give their plasma for money.

Over the last year, the union has campaigned to keep paid plasma collection sites out of Ontario, arguing they could exploit vulnerable populations.

The agency argues the Whitby location will not impact blood collection on the national level.

A full statement by CBS is as follows:

In September 2022, Canadian Blood Services announced our action plan in response to a global shortage of medications called immunoglobulins and plasma needed to make them. Our agreement with Grifols, a global healthcare company and leader in producing plasma medicines, is one part of that plan.

In June 2023, we announced Grifols’ next steps in fulfilling its contractual commitment to Canadian Blood Services, which include opening up to five plasma collection sites in Ontario, where Grifols will operate under the Voluntary Blood Donations Act as our agent. Canadian Blood Services has approved Whitby, Ont., as the location of one of Grifols’ collection sites as we have determined this location will not have an impact on national blood system operations.

Paying plasma donors does not mean medications made from their plasma are unsafe. During manufacturing, plasma from all donors (both paid and unpaid) is cleaned and purified to remove and inactivate potential infectious agents.

Health Canada is the regulator of blood and blood products in Canada. This includes donor eligibility criteria and safety measures, such as how often plasma can be collected from a donor, regardless of whether they are paid. As per the Food and Drugs Act, all collection sites in Canada, including Grifols’ sites, must obtain a license to operate from Health Canada and undergo regular inspections, like we do.

Canadian Blood Services’ priority, as the national blood operator, is ensuring patients in Canada continue to have access to essential lifesaving therapies they need. With funding from governments, Canadian Blood Services is opening 11 dedicated plasma donor centres (nine of which have opened) and collecting more plasma ourselves.

We want to reinforce that our agreement with Grifols doesn’t change Canadian Blood Services’ operations. It means that:

Canadian Blood Services will continue to ensure through this agreement that the medications we purchase from Grifols keep meeting the same track record in safety as those we have purchased on behalf of health systems for patients in Canada for more than 25 years.

The original release by OPSEU is as follows:

OPSEU/SEFPO condemns the announcement by Canadian Blood Services that for-profit multinational pharmaceutical company Grifols will open paid plasma collection sites in Whitby, Cambridge and Hamilton in late 2024 and 2025. Grifols will be operating under an undisclosed 15-year deal with Canadian Blood Services to privatize plasma collection in Canada.

“The only way to keep our blood supply safe in Canada is to keep private, for-profit corporations like Grifols away from it,” said Geoff Cain, OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board member and Chair of the Blood Services and Diagnostics sector. “Canadian Blood Services already collects plasma. There’s no reason why we can’t invest in our own plasma centres, and upgrade more of our blood donation centres so they can collect plasma as well from voluntary donors. We don’t need a blood-for-money system in Ontario.”

Introducing for-profit plasma collection sites where Grifols can pay donors for their plasma not only exploits vulnerable people experiencing financial difficulty, but could also create a decrease in volunteers donating whole blood to Canadian Blood Services, undermining system as a whole.

“When the profit motive is introduced into any public service, corners inevitably get cut in order to increase profits,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. “We simply cannot take the chance with our blood supply that profits will trump ethics. Canadian Blood Services has the trained staff and best practices to ensure that every step of the blood collection process is done safely and ethically in a public system.”

After the tainted blood tragedy of the 1980’s, the Krever Commission made the following recommendations, reaffirmed by leading blood policy organizations around the world, including the World Health Organization:

OPSEU/SEFPO launched NoPaidPlasma.ca in 2023, with actions and resources for the public to take to stop paid plasma collection in Ontario.

“It’s time for Canadian Blood Services to cancel their deal with Grifols,” said Hornick. “Plasma and blood are not a for-profit commodity. They are life-saving resources that should be kept in public hands.”

Cover photo courtesy of Canadian Blood Services.

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