More IP-related resources announced to support enterprises

These resources include improving skill set, legal advice, and study grants. 

More intellectual property resources have been announced on Tuesday to enable enterprises to grow their businesses and be strengthened amidst the pandemic, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) said in a statement.

IPOS said starting September, enterprises can access a larger pool of IP practitioners that they can seek advice from during a session under the IP business and legal clinics sessions.

The IPOS also partnered with the Singapore Management University’s Yong Pung How School of Law for the pilot of the Mentoring IP Leaders programme, wherein third and final year law students in the programme will be mentored by participating law firms, which will increase the country’s talent pool.

“We are introducing a suite of resources to help enterprises maximise the value of their intangible assets and intellectual property,” Edwin Tong, minister for Culture, Community and Youth and second minister for Law, said at the launch of the annual Intellectual Property Week, noting that these are in line with the Singapore IP Strategy 2030.

“We hope that these initiatives will provide continued growth opportunities for Singaporean enterprises and IP professionals and in turn strengthen Singapore’s position as a global IA and IP hub. This has also taken on added importance as enterprises position themselves to emerge stronger from the pandemic.”

The office has also compiled a list of Singapore-based IP expert witnesses who can assist in court proceedings on IP and technology-related disputes to improve IP dispute resolution proceedings. It also launched the Brand Search feature on the IPOS GO mobile app, which will help new business owners to search for similar business names or trademarks, among others before deciding a name for their brands.

The IPOS and the China National Intellectual Property Administration will also extend the Patent Prosecution Highway pilot for five years until 31 August 2026, and will integrate the PPH-Mottainai model wherein patent applications will be expedited by relying on relevant examination result that were first established by either the IP office of Singapore or China.

A virtual ASEAN IP Academy was also set up within the ASEAN IP portal hosted by Singapore, wherein the academy will provide IP training and capacity building activities in all ASEAN countries.

Singaporeans may also apply for the Skill Future Study Award for IP, launched in 2017, which offers $5,000 training grants for up to 30 individuals to enhance their IP capabilities and develop IP-relevant skills. The number of awards has increased 50% over the last two years.