Following big policy changes in 2019, the time is right to look at IP developments in this fast-evolving country. For the intellectual property field in Singapore, 2019 was an exciting year, with new policies to promote Singapore as an IP hub and legislative reforms leading the charge in opening up new areas of opportunity. For […]
Publications
India’s TM Registry will issue ‘Speaking Orders’
In India, IP owners and practitioners have found it difficult to fathom the exact reasons for refusal of registered trade mark applications, owing to the issuance of non-speaking orders by the Registrar of Trade Marks. The Intellectual Property Attorneys Association filed a public interest petition before the Delhi High Court, challenging the non-speaking orders passed […]
SINGAPORE: Decision Illustrates the Importance of Pre-Filing Searches
A recent case concerning two conflicting trademarks illustrates the importance of conducting pre-filing searches for existing and similar marks. Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co. KG Arzneimittel (the proprietor) owned the VAGISAN trademark (the subject mark) registered in Singapore under registration No. T1206670G in Classes 3 and 5. On November 14, 2017, Combe International Ltd […]
“Nutri-Grade” set to commence its battle with sugary drinks from end-2021 as part of Singapore’s war on diabetes
After the announcement by Singapore’s Minister of State for Health, Edwin Tong, on the 10th October 2019 on the introduction of a mandatory Front-of-Pack label for packaged sugar-sweetened beverages , it has been announced that drinks with high sugar and/or saturated fat contents will be required to display a “Nutri-Grade” label with grades ranging from […]
SINGAPORE: Principal Assistant Registrar Exercises Power to Give Decision Without a Hearing
As a result of inaction by the applicant, the Principal Assistant Registrar (PAR) exercised his power under Section 37(4) of the Trade Marks Rules to decide on a case on February 4, 2020, without any hearing. Seek Asia Pte Ltd (the applicant) applied to register a composite trademark “SEEK ASIA” consisting of the words “Seek […]
Indonesia: Implementing regulations for geographical indications
Since the geographical indication general provision was introduced in 2016 (under Law No. 20 of 2016 concerning the Trademark and Geographical Indication Law), there was no specific stipulation from the Indonesian government to support the law, until June 25, 2019, when the government enacted Ministry Regulation No. 12 of 2019 implementing the specific provisions regarding […]
Recent Decisions of the Singapore Personal Data Protection Commission
The Personal Data Protection Commission (“PDPC”) recently meted out financial penalties to two errant entities which were found to be in breach of Section 24 of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (“PDPA”). Royal Caribbean Cruises (Asia) Pte. Ltd. Royal Caribbean Cruises (Asia) Pte. Ltd. (the “Organisation”) voluntarily informed the PDPC that the systems of […]
SINGAPORE: Ferrero Rocher—An (Unprotected) Shape Without a Name
Ferrero S.p.A. (the applicant) applied to register a 3D mark in Class 30 (under International Registration number 1199758) in Singapore (Trade Mark No. T1406403E) (application mark). The mark was described as “a coordinated packaging design, consisting of a crinkled gold foil spherical wrapping, in a brown pleated designed cup-holder with two gold lines. The combination […]
Singapore: Heightened Novelty Check for Registered Design Applications
In Circular No. 1/2019 published on 5 April 2019 and a follow up Circular No. 4/2019 published on 29 November 2019, the Intellectual Property Office in Singapore (IPOS) indicated that they have heightened their check on the declaration of novelty in registered design applications. A registered design application that is not new or does not […]
SINGAPORE: Protection Against Cybersquatters Affirmed as a Matter of Public Policy
In the case of 3 Corporate Services Pte. Ltd. (the plaintiff) against Grabtaxi Holdings Pte. Ltd. (the defendant), decided on January 22, 2020 ([2020] SGHC 17), the High Court of Singapore made it clear that a cybersquatter cannot enforce an otherwise valid contract as a matter of public policy. After an initial discussion on the […]