Geoffrey Mowatt Partner | Toronto

About Geoff

Geoff is the Co-Lead of the Blakes Intellectual Property Litigation group, with a practice that focuses on patent litigation in the pharmaceutical, chemical, biotech and oil & gas fields. Geoff is known for his pragmatic approach to sensitive disputes, providing strategic and business-savvy counselling on complex matters across various industries.

Geoff is an experienced trial counsel who is adept at handling all aspects of patent litigation, from pre-litigation opinions to appearing before the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal and provincial courts. He works closely with counsel around the world to coordinate the Canadian side of multi-jurisdictional lawsuits. His experience with proceedings under the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations includes patent disputes related to innovative small-molecule drugs, biologics, formulations and dosage forms.

Geoff’s practice in trademark litigation and procurement includes providing opinions and advice on freedom to operate, brand strategy and general trademark litigation.

He is a certified specialist in patent law and a registered patent and trademark agent.

Geoff has spoken and written extensively on IP litigation and legal developments related to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices.

Select Experience

Some of Geoff’s recent notable matters include representing:

EMD Serono in ongoing patent litigation involving the drug Mavenclad (cladribine)
Aurora Cannabis and the University of Saskatchewan in complex litigation asserting three patents to key enzymes and the use of genetically modified yeast strains in the cannabinoid biosynthesis pathway
Pfizer Canada in a patent impeachment and infringement action related to biologics for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
G&W Distilling in litigation asserting trademark and trade dress rights related to vodka soda beverages
SmileDirectClub in an action for false and misleading statements by the Manitoba Dental Association related to clear aligner therapy and teledentistry
Trupanion Brokers Ontario in an application brought by Petline for false and misleading advertising; the application was dismissed in its entirety in favour of Trupanion, with costs
Deeproot Green Infrastructure in a patent infringement action related to subsurface soil cells for urban tree growth
MIPS AB in a patent impeachment and infringement action related to rotational impact protection in hockey helmets
G&W Distilling in connection with the purchase of the G&W business by Labatt’s
Microbix Biosystems in a patent infringement action related to inactivated microorganisms for use as controls
FGF Brands in two patent infringement actions concerning high-temperature ovens for baking naan bread
Aquaterra Corporation in a copyright infringement action brought by LBI Brands concerning a boxed water product
San Remo Lighting in an action for a declaration of non-infringement related to plastic electrical boxes
Deb Worldwide Healthcare in an action brought by an inventor to invalidate a patent assignment related to foamed-alcohol hand-sanitizing compositions
Deb Worldwide Healthcare in a patent infringement action against Ecolab related to foamed-alcohol hand-sanitizing compositions
iNOEX GmbH in a patent infringement action related to cross-linked extruded products
Aloys Wobben, a German innovator, in a patent infringement action related to wind turbine technology

Awards & Recognition

Geoff is consistently recognized as a leading intellectual property lawyer in the following publications:

WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals – 2021–2026
The Best Lawyers in Canada – 2021–2026 (Intellectual Property)
Managing Intellectual Property's IP Stars – 2018–2022, 2024–2025 (Patent Star)
Lexology Index: IP (2025: Recommended – Copyright; 2024: Recommended)
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (2024: Litigation: Intellectual Property; 2022–2024: Intellectual Property)
IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals – 2021, 2023–2024 (Recommended Individual)
The Legal 500 Canada – 2018–2019, 2022–2024 (Intellectual Property)
LMG Life Sciences 2023 (Life Sciences Star)

Professional Activities

Geoff is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Toronto Intellectual Property Group. He is an associate of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and a regular lecturer in the master of biotechnology program at the University of Toronto.

Geoff previously chaired the Canadian Bar Association’s Biotechnology Committee and served on the Ontario Bar Association’s Professional Development Committee and Civil Litigation Executive.