Singapore – More IP Resources For Enterprises To Emerge Stronger From The Pandemic.

25 August 2021
 

More IP resources were announced today for enterprises to grow their  businesses and emerge stronger from the pandemic. This was announced by Minister for Culture,  Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law Mr Edwin Tong at the launch of the annual  Intellectual Property Week (IP Week @ SG 2021). 
 

2. Said Mr Tong: “In line with the Singapore IP Strategy (SIPS) 2030, which we launched earlier  this April, we are introducing a suite of resources to help enterprises maximise the value of their  intangible assets (IA) and intellectual property (IP). 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.” 
 

3. IPOS currently runs complimentary IP business and legal clinics with its network of IP law  firms and business consultancy firms once a week. From Sep 2021, enterprises can access a larger  pool of IP practitioners that they can seek advice from during a clinic session.  
 

4. IPOS has also partnered the Singapore Management University’s Yong Pung How School of  Law (SMUYPHSL) to pilot the Mentoring IP Leaders programme (IP MILE), an initiative to grow  Singapore’s IP talent pool. Third and final year law students in the programme will be mentored by  participating law firms during IPOS’ IP legal clinics. 
 

5. Singaporeans may apply for the Skills Future Study Award for IP (SFSA-IP) which will offer  $5,000 in training grants for up to 30 individuals to build up IP capabilities and develop industry relevant IP skills. Launched in 2017, the number of awards this year has increased by 50 percent – over the past two years.  
 

6. To improve IP dispute resolution proceedings in Singapore, IPOS has put together a list of  Singapore-based IP expert witnesses who can assist in court proceedings or arbitrations relating to IP  and technology disputes. The list currently consists of 16 expert witnesses who hail from various  industry sectors, including engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, infocomm technology and  pharmaceutical. 
 

7. Brand Search, the 4-in one search function on the IPOS GO mobile app has been launched.  The enhanced search feature will help entrepreneurs and new business owners conduct a quick media  usernames before deciding on a suitable name for their brand. 
 

8. Regional IP cooperation programmes have been enhanced to help enterprises access  international markets more effectively.  
 

9. IPOS and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) will extend the  Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot for five years till 31 August 2026 and will incorporate the  PPH-Mottainai model. Under this model, applicants will be able to enjoy accelerated patent  applications by relying on a relevant examination result established first by either IP office,  regardless of whether the patent application was first filed with IPOS or with CNIPA. The increased  flexibility of using examination results from either office can speed up patent applications.  
 

10. A virtual ASEAN IP Academy has also been set up within the ASEAN IP portal hosted by  Singapore. This virtual academy will provide IP training and capability building activities in all ASEAN  countries to enhance IP expertise in the region. Businesses in the ASEAN region can look forward to  accessing a range of IP training programmes and expertise.  
 

11. In recognition of outstanding innovations and IP management strategies by Singapore  enterprises that have advanced the growth of their companies, five companies were awarded the  “WIPO-IPOS IP For Innovation Awards”.  
 

12. INEX Innovate was awarded the IPOS IP For Innovation Champions as well as the WIPO IP  Enterprise Trophy (as the overall winner). INEX Innovate is a leading Singaporean molecular  diagnostics company specialising in women’s and fetal health. Its technologies help to detect fetal genetic abnormalities and oncological conditions such as ovarian and breast cancers. They are  recognised for their ground breaking innovations in the women’s healthcare industry which address  unmet clinical needs and push the boundaries in women’s and fetal health.  
 

13. Another outstanding recipient is the Critical Facility Group Pte Ltd (CFG). CFG is the leading  provider of lightning protection technologies for industrial and commercial enterprises across Asia. It  specialises in mitigating the ill-effects of electrical weather anomalies and offers comprehensive  solutions. CFG is a trailblazer in innovation for lightning protection solutions that contribute to  sustainability and environmental protection. CFG is a prime example of how a Singaporean  company, established two decades ago, continues to grow and transform through building value  from their intangible assets. More information on the award recipients can be found in Annex A.  
 

14. In its 10th edition, IP Week @ SG 2021 (https://www.ipweek.sg), organised in a hybrid  format for the first time by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), welcomed  international stakeholders, with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) Director General,  heads of global IP offices and leading industry players sharing insights on how IP can accelerate  national economic strategies and support businesses in their growth, and innovation journeys to  emerge stronger from the pandemic.