An assessment as to whether the registrability threshold set out in Section 3(k) of the Indian Patents Act, 1970 (the ‘Act’) has been crossed or not, is an essential pre-requisite for the grant of patents in relation to computer related inventions (‘CRI’). The Delhi High Court, in a recent landmark decision (in Microsoft Technology Licensing, […]
Publications
India amends the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: An Overview
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (the “Act”) primarily regulated the sustainable use of biological resources of India, and the equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources. The Act also aimed at conserving and using biological diversity sustainably, and obligated foreign nationals and organizations to obtain prior approval of National Biodiversity […]
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 […]
IP Marketplace as an Innovation for Community Needs
In August 2022, The Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP ) under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights launched the Intellectual Property Marketplace (IP Marketplace). The IP Marketplace is a platform that is created to respond to the needs of the community in making it easier for IP owners to promote, sell or license […]
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 […]
Medical Device Management in Vietnam
Vietnam’s medical device management is overseen by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its subordinate agency, the Department of Medical Equipment and Construction (DMEC). The DMEC is responsible for regulating and controlling medical devices in Vietnam to ensure their safety, quality, and efficacy. Some of the areas covered by the Vietnamese’s medical device management regime […]
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 […]