François Guay is a Principal in Smart & Biggar’s Montreal office and a senior member of our Litigation practice.
François Guay is among the most experienced intellectual property litigators in Canada and a highly sought-after advisor to the largest, most innovative companies in the world. His “tactical acumen has saved the day for the likes of Microsoft, Nike and Air Canada. His ability to give reliable, early cost-benefit assessments allow senior business executives to plan ahead confidently and get an edge over their competitors” (IAM Patents 1000, 2018).
As one of the most successful IP litigators in the country at the appellate level, his clients trust their most complex and contentious IP issues to François’s proven track record of building effective litigation strategies and preparing highly persuasive arguments to be presented in court.
Having practiced exclusively in intellectual property litigation for over three decades, François has argued many cases that have resulted in leading jurisprudence in the fields of patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, unfair competition, trade secrets and computer related technology. More than 200 of the cases he has been involved in thus far have been reported in Canada.
François also has a vast amount of experience with extraordinary recourses such as interim or interlocutory injunctions, seizures before judgment, and anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy matters. He has appeared before the Courts of Quebec and the Federal Court of Canada.
Companies ranging from mid-size to large Canadian and foreign corporations seek François’s IP expertise on a regular basis, including:
Microsoft Corporation
Nike
Bauer Hockey Corp.
Bell Canada
Rogers Communications
The Walt Disney Company
Air Canada
Canadian National Railway Company (CN)
Nobel Biocare USA
Quadco Equipment Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited (BAT)
Activision Blizzard
Chanel SARL
The Cheesecake Factory
Parmalat Canada
Shell Canada Limited
Süd-Chemie AG
Shake Shack
