By Kevin Wong & Eileen Fong (Ella Cheong LLC) A new Geographical Indications (GIs) Registry and other legislative changes relating to GIs are being introduced in Singapore. Briefly, a GI is an indication that serves as an identifier in trade of the geographical origin of products (this is unlike the more commonly known concept of a trade mark (TM), …
New Data Protection Law in Singapore
By Soh Kar Liang & Eileen Fong (Ella Cheong LLC) On 2 January 2014, Singapore embarked on the 1st phase of implementing the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). The PDPA is a huge step up from the previous lack of a comprehensive regime for privacy and data protection in Singapore despite the rising prevalence of electronic commerce and social …
Voluntary Notification in Malaysian Copyright Law and Copyright Issues in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
By Zuhairy Fauzy (Ella Cheong IP Services Sdn Bhd) In Malaysia, copyright is protected under the Copyright Act 1987. It was recently amended in 2012. One of the more significant aspects of these amendments is the option for authors or licensees of creative works to provide voluntary notification of copyright to the Controller of Copyright, thereby providing prima facie evidence …
Review of Registered Designs Regime in Singapore
By Denise Loh (Ella Cheong LLC) The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) is carrying out its first major review of Singapore’s registered designs regime since the year 2000. The key objectives of this review are to accommodate new technologies and business models as well as to support the growth of designs-related industries. As part of the review, IPOS conducted …
IKEA v IkeaHackers: the Trade Mark Dispute That Never Was
By Zuhairy Fauzy (Ella Cheong IP Services Sdn Bhd) The Malaysian IP scene was recently abuzz with a brief yet colourful trade mark feud involving one of the country’s most beloved brands. IkeaHackers.net is a fan-run website which hosts user-generated ideas on modifications and repurposing of products made by the Swedish furniture giant IKEA. The site was established in 2006 …