When IP disputes arise, it is important for the disputing parties to honour settlement agreements. Breaching a settlement agreement may bring about liability under IP law frameworks. Dramatis personae This case involved parties in the business of bottling water. Dr. Who Waterworks Pte Ltd (the first claimant), a Singapore-incorporated company, was run by a Mr. […]
Publications
SINGAPORE: New Disclosure Framework Aims to Help Companies Improve Transparency Around Intangible Assets
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority have jointly launched the Intangibles Disclosure Framework (Framework), which provides guidelines to companies for identifying and disclosing various non-physical assets or intangibles, including intellectual property (IP) rights, to various stakeholders. Strategy—helps companies share and communicate how intangibles are relevant to, and used […]
Singapore Trademark Applications – Uncommon Grounds of Objections
Brand owners usually take steps to avoid potential conflicts from other similar trademarks and also try to devise marks which are not descriptive in nature. While this is an important pre-filing consideration, there are certain other potential uncommon objections that brand owners should take into consideration before filing their trademark in Singapore. Some of these […]
Tiger Pictures Entertainment Ltd v. Encore Films Pte Ltd: An expedited process in the interest of justice?
A recent High Court judgment was the first of its kind that concerned the “simplified process” for intellectual property claims in Singapore. The simplified process took effect in Singapore from April 1, 2022. It is a discretionary, streamlined process to expedite the management of intellectual property disputes to enable disputants (particularly SMEs) to save costs […]
ASEAN: Emerging trends in Southeast Asia’s autonomous vehicle patent landscape
According to data by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Bank, there has been an unprecedented interest in Southeast Asia as a patent filing destination, with the percentage of applicants filing in the ASEAN member states increasing each year. However, the autonomous vehicle (AV) technology patent landscape in this region remains nascent, […]
Singapore: Revocation of registered design on grounds of lack of novelty
In the recent case of Soon Ailing v. Chen & Partners (S) Pte. Ltd., the issue of revocation of a registered design application based on lack of novelty was examined. The dispute centred around Application No. 30202008442T filed on September 14, 2020, a registered design for a “Customized Watch Bezel” in Class and Subclass 10-07, held […]
Patent-Related Strategies for Start-ups and Small Businesses in Singapore
Introduction In the current fast-paced and competitive landscape of Singapore’s business environment, intellectual property (IP) protection could contribute to the success and growth of start-ups and small businesses. In particular, patents offer significant advantages by safeguarding novel inventions, processes, and technologies. This article explores patent-related strategies for start-ups and small businesses towards protecting their innovations […]
Singapore – Substantiation of Allegation of Bad Faith May Entitle Tribunal to Declare A Trademark Invalid
Swiss Company Vetements Group AG (the “Applicant”) sought to invalidate the following mark which had been registered in Singapore by a Chinese Company, Xiamen Vetements Brand Management Co., Ltd (the “Registered Proprietor”) for clothing in Class 25. While the Registered Proprietor filed its response to the invalidation application, it did not file its supporting evidence in […]
SINGAPORE: Owner of ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ GI Wins Litigation over Parmesan Translation
Fonterra (the appellant) filed a request with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) to qualify the scope of protection of the geographical indication (GI) “Parmigiano Reggiano,” arguing that the word “Parmesan” was not a translation of “Parmigiano Reggiano.” Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano (the respondent), owner of the GI “Parmigiano Reggiano,” successfully challenged the […]
Fair Isaac Corporation v. LAC Co., Ltd [2022] SGIPOS 19
What happens when a later trademark incorporates an earlier one, especially when many other trademarks on the register incorporate the earlier trademark? This decision explores the applicable principles surrounding trademark oppositions involving such facts. The applicant, a major international cybersecurity corporation, sought to register the application mark . The opponent, whose goods and services included […]