Virtual Map (VM), the parent company of a popular website that features interactive street maps of Singapore, has had its appeal dismissed. VM lost its battle against a government agency, which accused it of copying state data and materials to use for its online maps. VM had appealed against the District court's decision that it […]
Singapore Copyright Infringement - Here comes Meizu M8, no need to wait for iPhone
In spite of Singapore’s very small population, it has more than ninety percent (90%) mobile phone penetration rate. This is nearly four million users; many of which are eager to upgrade to the latest phone models. It has been argued that this is the reason why Apple chose Singapore to launch its revolutionary iPhone in […]
Singapore - Intellectual Property Exploitation – a case in Parallel Import
The issues examined in the case Hawley & Hazel Chemical Co. (s) Pte Ltd v Szu Ming Trading Pte Ltd [2008] SGHC 13 will determine whether there should be a legal or contractual obligation on the part of the licence grantor to limit the influx of parallel imports that a licensee or distributor might face […]
Asian Countries fight copyright infringement
The attempt to combat piracy in the ASEAN region seems like an up-hill task. It has reached the point that potential investors are more concerned about whether their IP rights will be protected as opposed to where the most profit can be made. Thus, Asia is regarded as a destination to be explored with great […]
Seiko Epson Corp v Sepoms Technology Pte Ltd and Another (2007) SGCA 52
In this case, the plaintiff manufactured ink jet printers and the defendants manufactured and sold compatible ink cartridges, which could be used to replace ink cartridges produced by the plaintiff. Both parties were patent owners in relation to ink cartridges. In 2007, the Singapore High Court decided on whether an infringing party might use the […]
Singapore McDonalds’ Opposition Rights Re-Affirmed
McDonald's Corporation, recently secured a landmark verdict in Singapore which cemented protection of its intangible IP rights when the Court of Appeal ruled that they had a right to oppose a trademark application based on sufficient visual, aural and conceptual similarities to their well-known "McCAFE" trademark. The Background Facts: Future Enterprises Pte Ltd v McDonalds […]
Singapore Police Raids For Illegal Software
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has called on businesses to take immediate steps for ensuring that they are using only legal and licensed software following a raid on 18 June 2007 by the Singapore Police Force on a Land Surveying Professional Consultancy for suspected use of unlicensed and illegal software. The police raid, prompted by […]
Singapore Court Enforces Johnson & Johnson’s IP Rights
Johnson & Johnson, one of the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets recently secured a landmark decision in Singapore which cemented protection of its intangible IP rights when the High Court ruled that there has been an infringement of its […]
Malaysia - Acushnet Obtains Summary Judgment
US golf equipment manufacturer Acushnet, which owns the Titleist trade mark in Malaysia, has managed to obtain summary judgment against a local company in the case Acushnet Company v Metro Golf Manufacturing Sdn Bhd [2006] 7 CLJ 557. The proceedings began in 2004 when, following the discovery of documents incriminating the defendant, the enforcement division […]
Singapore Courts Enforce Trade Mark Rights in Healthcare Product Case
Although most trade mark disputes are usually settled at the interlocutory injunction stage, one of the few cases where, despite the grant of an interlocutory injunction, the matter proceeded to trial was recently decided by the High Court in Singapore. The case being OTO Bodycare Pte Ltd v Hiew Keat Foong [2005] SGHC133 concerned the […]