Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

With one of the few wide ranging IP practices in Singapore as well as a team of specialist patent attorneys and dedicated IP litigators, ATMD Bird & Bird secures its tier one stance in the rankings.Handling both contentious and non contentious work, ... [more]

With one of the few wide ranging IP practices in Singapore as well as a team of specialist patent attorneys and dedicated IP litigators, ATMD Bird & Bird secures its tier one stance in the rankings.

Handling both contentious and non contentious work, the group maintained its strength in the anti-piracy and enforcement space this year, continuing to represent clients such as Microsoft, HP, Nokia, Chanel, Canon, Epson, Nintendo, Samsung and Abercrombie & Finch.

The firm also handled several high profile IP infringement cases this year. One highlight case saw the team led by partners Alban Kang and Koh Chia Ling successfully represent Singapore’s RecordTV against national broadcaster MediaCorp in the Court of Appeal.

It was a busy year for the firm’s trade mark registration practice too, with the team handling applications for a diverse group of companies including Shuffle Master, Singapore University of Technology Design, De Beers, Chanel and Natsteel.

In one noteworthy case, Kang and partner Joyce Ang assisted De Beers Group on the protection and enforcement of De Beers’ trade mark and designs rights against other local jewellers in Singapore, including commencing design cancellation action.

Peers rate the firm’s commercial IP practice highly. The group advises clients on licensing, collaboration and technology transfers. And clients speak highly of Sheena Jacob and Cyril Chua for their valuable contribution in this space.

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Drew & Napier’s top tier track record in the IP sector is perhaps unsurprising given the unquestionable standing of the firm’s dispute resolution team. The 116 member team has a particularly strong contentious focus, and is regularly instructed for landmark ... [more]

Drew & Napier’s top tier track record in the IP sector is perhaps unsurprising given the unquestionable standing of the firm’s dispute resolution team. The 116 member team has a particularly strong contentious focus, and is regularly instructed for landmark IP cases in Singapore.

In one notable case this year, managing partner and practice group head Dedar Singh Gill, together with CEO and dispute resolution specialist Davinder Singh, advised MediaCorp in a copyright infringement action concerning claims of groundless threats of copyright infringement as well as a counterclaim for copyright infringement. The case marked the first copyright case in Singapore to address who the ‘maker’ is for the purposes of infringement and fair use defence provisions imported from the US pursuant to the USSFTA.

The firm is additionally active in securing trade marks and service mark registrations directly in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The team assists clients to protect their rights in copyright and designs, including infringement and enforcement actions, and also advises on various aspects of technology transfer, and draft and review agreements to develop, licence, procure and finance all IP rights including computer software and hardware projects.

Cecilia Girvin, Morris John, and Tony Yeo are particularly well respected advisers in the market.

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Allen & Gledhill LLP’s 59 lawyer IP and technology team is noted for its accessibility and “good knowledge” of the sector.With a dedicated four partner patent prosecution and protection team, as well as six patent professionals and five patent dedicated ... [more]

Allen & Gledhill LLP’s 59 lawyer IP and technology team is noted for its accessibility and “good knowledge” of the sector.

With a dedicated four partner patent prosecution and protection team, as well as six patent professionals and five patent dedicated secretaries, the team’s strengths lie in drafting patents and prosecuting applications with the IP Office of Singapore and other foreign patent offices.

Among the firm’s extensive list of repeat clients are Singapore and overseas research institutes, universities and a diverse range of companies primarily involved in technology and manufacturing.

Practice group head Dr Stanley Lai has over 10 years of experience in IP and information technology law, with a particular emphasis on e-commerce, telecommunications, technology and biotechnology. He is supported by IP partner Low Pei Lin, who is known for his experience in IP protection, portfolio and rights management. Clients also note US patent attorney William P Wilbar’s extensive experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications and patent litigation.

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Headed up by IP director Jason Chan, Amica Law’s litigation and enforcement group is fast building a strong track record in the market. Formed as a specialist IP and technology boutique by former Allen & Gledhill LLP practitioners a few years ago, the ... [more]

Headed up by IP director Jason Chan, Amica Law’s litigation and enforcement group is fast building a strong track record in the market. Formed as a specialist IP and technology boutique by former Allen & Gledhill LLP practitioners a few years ago, the firm now counts leading brand names such as Dell, Exxon-Mobil, Harley Davidson and Warner Brothers among a growing list of active clients.

Some highlights from this year include, Elaine Tan acting for Starwood in the successful opposition against the registration of PARK REGIS in Singapore, and Wilson Wong acting for the stock exchanges of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines in relation to the implementation, integration, support and management of an ASEAN inter-exchange trades.

Winnie Tham, Jo-Ann See and Melvin Pang are also well regarded in the market.

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Under the leadership of respected IP specialist Lee Ai Ming, Rodyk & Davidson’s IP and technology practice has amassed extensive experience in e-commerce, data privacy, cybersquatting, as well as computer and internet matters. With a particular focus ... [more]

Under the leadership of respected IP specialist Lee Ai Ming, Rodyk & Davidson’s IP and technology practice has amassed extensive experience in e-commerce, data privacy, cybersquatting, as well as computer and internet matters. With a particular focus on patent litigation, the group boasts a technical team of patent engineers as well as up to 20 litigators and IP and IT specialists.

In one noteworthy case this year, Lee and Low Chai Chong advised Asahi Glass in a patent infringement action brought by Hoya. This landmark case was the first such case to involve a selection patent. It was also the first case involving two Japanese companies litigating in Singapore.

Peers recommend Gilbert Leong for his IT expertise and Yew Woon Choi for his franchising and licensing experience.

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Shook Lin & Bok’s IP team is actively involved in advising on trade marks, copyright, designs, patents and the law of confidentiality and trade secrets. It also advises on strategic and worldwide protection of IP and assists on cross border transactional ... [more]

Shook Lin & Bok’s IP team is actively involved in advising on trade marks, copyright, designs, patents and the law of confidentiality and trade secrets. It also advises on strategic and worldwide protection of IP and assists on cross border transactional work.

This year, partner Connie Loo advised on the joint venture between Temasek Life Sciences Ventures and Emergent Biosolutions. Loo also assisted ST Electronics on the review of an end user licence agreement and privacy policy for the 2010 Odyssey website in conjunction with the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Partner David Chong is also an active contributor in the group.

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