Featured Case
Featured Case Study

Breaking Ground in Cross-Border NFT Rights

When a Vancouver-based digital artist got tangled up in an international licensing nightmare involving NFT ownership across three jurisdictions, we had to basically rewrite the playbook on intellectual property transfer.

The Challenge

Our client minted NFTs on an Ethereum-based platform, but when a Tokyo gallery wanted to exhibit the physical works, things got messy. The smart contract didn't account for territorial exhibition rights, and suddenly we're dealing with Canadian copyright law, Japanese exhibition regulations, and blockchain immutability all at once.

Our Approach

We structured a hybrid licensing agreement that respected the on-chain NFT ownership while creating parallel off-chain exhibition rights. Worked with Japanese counsel to navigate their art exhibition requirements and drafted supplementary smart contracts that created a layered rights structure.

The Outcome

The exhibition went ahead without a hitch. More importantly, we created a replicable framework that the client now uses for all international deals. They've licensed work in 12 countries since then, and the model's been adopted by other artists in their collective.

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Real Problems, Real Solutions

Look, we could fill this page with corporate jargon about 'synergistic outcomes' and whatnot. Instead, here's what actually happened when clients brought us their toughest cross-border tech law problems.

Crypto Exchange Case
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

Navigating the Crypto Exchange Minefield

Challenge

A crypto startup wanted to operate across Canada and the US, but regulatory requirements were all over the map. They'd already gotten cease-and-desist letters from two provincial regulators and were about to give up on their whole business model.

Solution

We restructured their entire compliance framework from scratch. Set up proper licensing with FINTRAC, coordinated with provincial securities commissions, and established a US entity that could interface with FinCEN requirements. It wasn't sexy work, but it kept them operational.

Outcome

They're now fully compliant in 8 provinces and 15 US states. Transaction volume increased 340% once customers knew they were legit. The company recently closed a Series A round where investors specifically cited our compliance structure as a key asset.

"They didn't just save our business - they gave us a competitive advantage. Compliance became our selling point instead of our nightmare."
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Trade Agreement Case
International Trade

When Your Supply Chain Spans Four Countries

Challenge

Tech hardware manufacturer sources components from Taiwan, assembles in Vietnam, warehouses in Canada, and sells throughout North America. Each border crossing created potential IP leakage, customs issues, and contractual gaps. Previous counsel had basically thrown up their hands.

Solution

We mapped the entire supply chain and identified 14 separate legal vulnerabilities. Created jurisdiction-specific contracts that actually talked to each other, implemented proper IP protection at each manufacturing stage, and streamlined customs procedures using proper valuation strategies and tariff classifications.

Outcome

Reduced customs delays by 60%, eliminated three redundant intermediary contracts (saving about $180K annually), and - most importantly - they haven't had a single IP theft incident since implementation. The CEO told us it was like someone finally turned the lights on.

"For years we thought international supply chains just had to be chaotic. Turns out we just needed lawyers who actually understood logistics."
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Data Privacy Case
Data Privacy & Cybersecurity

GDPR Meets PIPEDA: The Data Transfer Puzzle

Challenge

A SaaS company serving European and Canadian clients hit a wall when Schrems II invalidated Privacy Shield. They were processing data on US cloud servers and suddenly had no legal basis for EU data transfers. Revenue from European clients represented 35% of their income, and they were basically in panic mode.

Solution

We implemented Standard Contractual Clauses with proper supplementary measures, conducted Transfer Impact Assessments for each jurisdiction, and restructured their cloud architecture to ensure EU data stayed on EU servers. Also revamped their entire privacy policy stack and trained their team on cross-border data handling.

Outcome

Full compliance with GDPR, PIPEDA, and CCPA. They've actually turned their privacy framework into a marketing advantage - two major enterprise clients chose them specifically because of their data governance structure. Zero regulatory complaints in the 18 months since implementation.

"We thought GDPR would kill our European business. Instead, it became our biggest selling point once we got the legal framework right."
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Patent Case
Intellectual Property

Patent Protection in the AI Age

Challenge

AI startup developed a novel machine learning algorithm but discovered a competitor in Singapore was using what looked like suspiciously similar technology. Traditional patent infringement litigation would've taken years and cost millions. They needed a strategy that actually made business sense.

Solution

Instead of rushing into litigation, we conducted a comprehensive IP audit that revealed their patent coverage had gaps. We filed additional patent applications to strengthen their position, then approached the competitor with a cross-licensing proposal backed by solid technical documentation and clear economic incentives.

Outcome

Reached a cross-licensing agreement that gave our client access to the competitor's distribution network in Asia. What started as a potential legal battle turned into a partnership that increased our client's market reach by 200%. Sometimes the best legal strategy isn't about winning - it's about finding the win-win.

"They talked us out of a lawsuit and into a partnership. Now our 'competitor' is our biggest distribution partner in Southeast Asia."
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Licensing Case
Technology Licensing

Untangling a Licensing Agreement Gone Wrong

Challenge

Software company signed what they thought was a straightforward licensing deal with a US partner. Two years later, they realized the agreement gave away way more rights than intended - including derivative works they'd developed independently. The US partner was now threatening litigation if they didn't hand over their latest product.

Solution

We conducted a forensic analysis of the development timeline and code repositories to establish clear separation between licensed technology and independent development. Then negotiated an amendment that clearly defined scope boundaries, implemented proper change management procedures, and created a dispute resolution mechanism that didn't involve immediately running to court.

Outcome

Preserved the partnership while protecting our client's independent innovations. The amended agreement actually improved the relationship - both parties now have clarity about what's shared and what's proprietary. Client retained 100% ownership of their new product line and has since used our licensing template for three additional partnerships.

"We were ready to torch the partnership. They found a way to fix the agreement and actually make it work better for both sides."
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Corporate Governance Case
Corporate Governance

Restructuring for Cross-Border Investment

Challenge

Canadian tech company wanted to raise capital from US venture funds, but their corporate structure was a mess - multiple share classes that didn't make sense, unclear founder agreements, and governance documents that would've scared off any serious investor. They needed to clean house before they could even start fundraising conversations.

Solution

Complete corporate restructuring. We rationalized the share structure, implemented proper founder vesting schedules, created a US holding company structure that made sense for cross-border investment, and drafted governance documents that met US investor expectations while respecting Canadian corporate law requirements. Also helped them prepare a data room that didn't make due diligence a nightmare.

Outcome

Closed a $4.5M Series A with a Silicon Valley fund within 6 months. Lead investor specifically mentioned that our clean corporate structure significantly reduced their diligence timeline. The company's now raising their Series B and the foundation we built is still holding strong.

"Investors told us they'd never seen such clean corporate documents from a Canadian startup. That restructuring probably saved us months in due diligence."
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Got a Legal Challenge That Doesn't Fit the Mold?

These are just a few examples of the cross-border tech law problems we've tackled. Every situation's different, and honestly, that's what keeps this work interesting. If you're dealing with something that spans borders, involves new technology, or just makes your current lawyers nervous - let's talk.

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