Donna is the Managing Partner of Osler’s Ottawa office. Donna’s practice focuses on trademark prosecution with a significant emphasis on proceedings before the Trademarks Opposition Board.
Her expertise encompasses international and domestic trademark counselling, licensing, Internet and domain name issues, trademark enforcement and product labelling. Donna regularly counsels clients on international registration and the management of domestic and international portfolios.
Among the clients whom Donna White has advised or acted for are: Live Nation Worldwide; Bausch & Lomb Incorporated; ADP Inc.; Bloomberg LP; Combe Incorporated; Wrangler Apparel Corp.; Polo/Ralph Lauren as well as numerous celebrities, entertainers and fashion designers.
Donna is on the Editorial Board of the Internet Law & Business. She is also former Chair of the Trademark Agents Board of Examiners and was a member for many years of the Editorial Board of the Canadian Patent Reporter. She is author of Selecting and Protecting Trade-marks: A Practice Guide and has spoken extensively on international and domestic trademark protection at many conferences and seminars.
Latest Insights
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Osler Update Dec 13, 2019
Game changer: Canada overhauls key intellectual property statutes
In 2019, Canada finally made good on its promises to modernize its intellectual property (IP) rights registration system, bringing into force key...
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Osler Update Mar 14, 2019
Major changes to Canadian trademark law and practice coming into force June 17, 2019 — Are you ready?
The Canadian Parliament passed legislation back in 2014 which made sweeping and significant changes to the Trademarks Act. The amendments and the...
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Osler Update Jun 24, 2016
Privilege for patent and trademark agents now in force in Canada
This new statutory privilege represents a significant improvement to Canada's intellectual property regime. Learn more.
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Intellectual Property
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Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Intellectual Property
- “Ottawa managing partner Donna White has a strong focus on trademark issues and is also proficient in domain name issues and product labelling matters. One source enthused: “She is my go-to person in Canada for trademark filings.”
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Intellectual Property; Ontario’s best intellectual property lawyers in 2021
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The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Intellectual Property
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Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Intellectual Property Law
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Legal 500: Recognized in Intellectual Property
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Who’s Who Legal: Recognized in International – Trademarks; Canada – Trademarks
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Managing IP: Recognized as an IP Star in Trademark (Canada) and as one of the Top 250 Women in IP
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WTR 1000: Recognized in The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals in Prosecution and Strategy (Gold Band)
- “Donna’s a guru when it comes to opposition proceedings, as well as a judicious all-round counsellor.”
- “An efficient, knowledgeable and practical adviser,” White is “very service-oriented, always accommodating for last-minute changes.”
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WTR Global Leaders: Recognized as a Global Leader
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World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR): Global Leader (2023)
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Lexpert Special Edition: Recognized in Technology and Health Sciences
Media Mentions
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Osler News Jun 10, 2024
Osler lawyers recognized by IP STARS 2024
Osler is proud to announce Donna White’s designation as one of the Top 250 Women in IP by Managing IP’s IP STARS 2024 legal directory. This...
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Osler News Feb 12, 2024
Osler’s IP Group recognized by World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2024
Osler's IP Group recognized by World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals 2024
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Osler News Jun 29, 2023
29 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health 2023
Congratulations to 29 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Technology and Health 2023.
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Osler News May 2, 2023
Donna White recognized as one of the Top 250 Women in IP by IP STARS 2023
Congratulations to Donna White for being recognized in the Top 250 Women in IP by Managing Intellectual Property’s IP STARS 2023 legal directory.
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Canada’s New Trademark Regime: The Practical, Tactical Guide to Navigating the Sweeping Changes
Read morePublished Work
- A year on, Canada’s sweeping trademark law is driving delays, Managing IP, June 2020.
- Canada’s new trademark regime: Bad faith in opposition cases, 2019 (article).
- What’s In a Name, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada Annual General Meeting, October 2018 (presentation).
- Catching up with Practice Notices, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada Annual General Meeting, September 2010 (presentation).
- Securitization and Collateralization of Brands, International Trade-mark Association Annual Meeting, May 2009 (presentation).
- Advanced Opposition Evidence, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada Annual General Meeting, September 2009 (presentation).
Previous Speaking Engagements
Credentials
Education
- University of Ottawa, LL.M.
- University of Ottawa, LL.B.
- Carleton University, B.A.
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Canadian Bar Association, Committee Member
- Intellectual Property Institute of Canada, Chair, Trademark Committee
- International Trademark Association, Committee Member
- Registered Trademark Agent
- Former Chair of Trademark Agents Examination Board
