A clash between two tech giants before the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), Apple Inc. v Xiaomi Singapore Pte Ltd [2017] SGIPOS 10, ended when the ruling favored Xiaomi (“the Applicant”) to register the mark ‘MI PAD’ for its computer tablet products in the face of a move from Apple Inc. (“the Opponent”), the […]
Publications
Myanmar Presents New Trademark Bill
Myanmar has yet to produce its own specific legislation on trademarks. As a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), the nation is expected to deliver its IP laws in the near future to provide protection for trademarks, copyright, patents, and other intellectual property. From August 8-10, 2017, […]
Updates on Use Requirements for Trademark Registrations in the Philippines
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) recently announced changes to the filing of Declaration of Actual Use (DAU) for registered marks. On 7 July 2017, the Registry issued Memorandum Circular No. 17-010 (IPOPHL MC No. 17-010; Subject: Rules and Regulations on Trademarks, Service Marks, Trade Names and Marked or Stamped Containers of 2017) […]
Post-Grant Amendments from Method of Treatment to Swiss-Style – The Singapore Position Clarified
Warner-Lambert Company LLC v Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2017] SGCA 45 Introduction In the landmark case of Warner-Lambert Company LLC v Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2017] SGCA 45, the Singapore Court of Appeal explored, inter alia, the permissibility of amending method of treatment claims to Swiss-style claims. Significantly, the matter was heard before a 5-Judge […]
Accelerated Examination in Philippines Through PPH Partnership with EPO
In recent years, the European Patent Office (EPO) has partnered with several domestic patent offices in Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programmes, with the aim of speeding up examination processes for corresponding applications filed in participating intellectual property offices. Recently, the EPO has launched new a PPH pilot programme with the patent office of the Philippines […]
Insights on Franchising: A Singapore Perspective
Singapore is a multi-racial and a multi-cultural country that demands variety in all aspects of its marketplace. Recently, news of the imminent departure of bubble tea franchise Gong Cha from Singapore has directed attention towards a new beverage brand, LiHo, started by a former franchisee of Gong Cha. While some Singaporeans are looking forward to […]
New Online System for Cambodia Trademark Registration
On 25 May 2017, the Ministry of Commerce in Cambodia launched an online trademark registration system for local and international businesses and individuals to protect their marks against infringement. Applicants in Cambodia may now upload the required documents and information for trademark registration online, as well as search the Cambodia Department of Intellectual Property database […]
Thailand Patent Registry Set to Enforce Modified Examination Regime for Greater Efficiency
Throughout 2017 so far, the government in Thailand has been signalling its intention to revamp the country’s patent system to provide a more efficient standard of service to applicants and inventors. In February, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O Cha pledged to urgently deal with a problem: around 20,000 domestic and international patent applications made to the […]
Singapore Trademark Invalidation Action is Big Boxing Bout
Courts (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Big Box Corporation Pte Ltd [2017] SGIPOS 5 On 26 January 2005, Big Box Corporation Pte Ltd (“the Proprietor”) secured registration for the trade mark in class 35 in Singapore, with respect to the following: “The bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods (excluding the […]
Singapore Parallel Imports – Court Clarifies Scope of the Parallel Importation Defence
Introduction Parallel imports are genuine goods that are put on the market by a trade mark proprietor in one country, and subsequently purchased and imported into another country for resale. Singapore permits parallel importation. As such, it is an issue that arises frequently in practice, but is rarely litigated on. In Samsonite IP Holdings Sarl […]