The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has recently extended its two pilot patent acceleration programmes such as the ASPEC Acceleration for Industry 4.0 Infrastructure and Manufacturing Pilot (ASPEC AIM) Programme until 26 August 2023, and the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) agreement with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) until 31 August 2026, in […]
Publications
Updates on Singapore patent practice
Following a series of public consultation and discussions, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has confirmed that they will launch a formal procedure for the submission of “third party observations” under which members of the public will be able notify IPOS of information that might be of relevance to the patentability of an invention […]
TRIPS waiver in light of the COVID-19 pandemic in Philippines
The World Health Organization’s – Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) is a global multilateral agreement on intellectual property (IP).1 The TRIPS Waiver refers to the October 2020 proposal by India and South Africa for a brief waiver of intellectual property rights that protect inventions that are required to prevent, contain or treat COVID-19. They […]
Nippon Paint (Singapore) Co. Pte. Ltd., and opposition thereto by Warrior Pte. Ltd.
These opposition proceedings relate to a dispute on the trademarks between an established supplier of adhesive products for industrial purposes (Nippon Paint (Singapore) Co. Pte. Ltd., or the applicant) and a relatively new entrant into the market (known as Warrior Pte. Ltd., or the opponent). The opponent is a Singaporean company which specializes in developing […]
SINGAPORE: Model Numbers Remain Just That
The following decision concerns the use of model numbers as trademarks and the strength of such trademarks. Nippon Paint (Singapore) Co. Pte. Ltd (the applicant) applied to register NW1 under trademark No. 40201909725V in International Class 1. Warrior Pte Ltd (the opponent) opposed the application on September 12, 2019, relying on its earlier registered marks, […]
India- The IPAB signs off, as the President signs on The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2021
On 4th April 2021, the Honourable President of India announced The Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021 (the ‘Ordinance’). Pursuant to the Ordinance, the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (‘IPAB’) would be abolished. Before the Ordinance comes into effect, the Ordinance had to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament for consideration, […]
Key Changes in Singapore’s new Copyright Bill
The Second Reading of Singapore’s new Copyright Bill (“Draft Bill”) has been tabled for September 2021. The Draft Bill is set to replace the current Copyright Act (Cap. 60, Rev. Ed. 2006), which has been in force for fifteen years. In particular, it appears that the Draft Bill allows for stronger copyright protection for creators/performers […]
Trademark Infringement E-Complaint Feature by Registry
Most cases of Indonesian trademark infringement matters are filed through a direct formal complaint to the National Police Unit. Not many cases are filed through Directorate General of Intellectual Property (“DGIP”) even though such a mechanism is allowed under the Trademark Law No. 20 of 2016. Specifically, Article 99 in Chapter XVII of Trademark Law No. […]
Favipiravir: Patent rejection in Thailand
Favipiravir (or T-705; 6-fluoro-3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide) is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug used in the treatment of multiple diseases, and is the first drug approved by countries around the world as an emergency option for Covid-19 cases. Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has since rejected a Thai patent application filed under the compulsory license system for a […]
Vietnam – Circular No. 6959/TB-SHTT to temporarily ease the stringent signatory requirement by Circular No. 13822/TB-SHTT
The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam (NOIP) has released a new circular, Circular No. 6959/TB-SHTT (“Circular 6959”) in order to temporarily ease the strict requirements in relation to the signatory requirements of the formal documents in relation to patent applications such as powers of attorney, deeds of assignment, etc. submitted to the NOIP previously imposed […]