Innovation and IP Protection Infrastructure for a Global City– The Singapore Perspective

Ng Kok WanGroup Director

A presentation for the 10th Shanghai International IP Forum 3rd December 2013

The information stated herein is accurate as of 3rd December 2013.It is intended as a guide only and does not amount to legal advice. Professional advice must be sought prior to acting on any matter contained within this presentation.

Copyright © 2013 IPOS All Rights Reserved

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Scope of Presentation

• Creating the Innovation Environment

• The Need for an Innovation-Driven Economy

• Sustained Investment in R&D

• Future R&D Directions – RIE 2015

• Creating the IP Protection Infrastructure

• The Need for IP rights protection

• Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)

• A Global IP Hub in Asia – Singapore’s IP Hub Master Plan

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Singapore (Quick Facts)

• Land area: 716.1 sq km (2013)

• Vibrant global city:5.4 million people with 1.55 million foreigners (2013)

• Multicultural environment:English-speaking, 4 official languages

• Quality of life: Safe and green, good schools, entertainment options, quality healthcare

• Technology enabled society:131% mobile phone usage, 79% homes with computers, 70% adult Internet users

• Out-licensing receipts 2012: US$1.6 billion In-licensing payments 2012: US$16.5 billion

Year 2012 GDP: S$346 billion (~US$277 billion)

Source: www.singstat.gov.sg

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Singapore’s Economic Development

National Technology

Plan (1991-1995)S$2 billon

To maintain our competitiveness, Singaporeneeds to move to an innovation phase of ourdevelopment and promote activities withmore innovative and design content. Thismeans mastering science and technology.

- National Technology Plan, 1991

Year 2011GDPUS$ 277bnPer capita GDPUS$ 52,051

Year 1960GDPUS$ 0.7bnPer capita GDPUS$ 428

Source: Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry

National Technology

Plan (1996-2000)S$4 billon

National Technology

Plan (2001-2005)S$6 billon

National Technology

Plan (2006-2010)

S$13.9 billon

National Technology

Plan (2011-2015)

S$16.1 billon

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Key Research Areas

BIOMEDICAL SCIENCESELECTRONICS INFOCOMMS & MEDIA

CLEANTECHENGINEERING

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State of R&D in Singapore

GERD (“Gross Expenditure on R&D”) and GERD/GDP Growth (1990-2011)

GER

D $

m

GER

D/G

DP

(%)

Source: National Survey of R&D in Singapore 2011 by ASTAR Singapore

0.7

1.1

1.8

2.4

2.7

2.12.0

2.2

0

3

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

1990 1995 2000 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

GERD GERD/GDP (%)

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State of R&D in Singapore

Business vs. Public Expenditure on R&D by Fields of Sci & Tech (2011)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

Electronics +ICM

Chemicals BiomedicalSciences

Precision +Transport

Others

Public Expenditure

Business Expenditure

Source: National Survey of R&D in Singapore 2011 by ASTAR Singapore

Expe

nditu

re o

n R

&D

$m

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State of R&D in Singapore

Comparison of Selected Countries by Research Investment & Researcher Intensity (2010)

Source : OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators 2012/1

Bubble size indicates GERD in 2010 unless otherwise stated.

GER

D/G

DP

(%)

Full-Time Equivalent per 1000 Labour Force

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State of R&D in Singapore

GDP, R&D Expenditure and Patent Filing Growth in Singapore

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Future R&D Directions – RIE 2015 Plan

http://www.mti.gov.sg/ResearchRoom/Pages/Research,-Innovation-and-Enterprise-(RIE)-2015.aspx

1 November 2011

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Future R&D Directions – RIE 2015 Plan

• Key thrusts of RIE 2015 plan

• Continuing emphasis on basic science and knowledge as basis for future innovation

• Continuing focus on talent attraction and development

• Greater emphasis on competitive funding directed to best research

• Forging greater synergies between public and private research

• Greater funding support to multidisciplinary and breakthrough science

• Focusing R&D more on economic outcomes

• Strengthening support for commercialisation

• RIE 2015 plan will support Singapore's long-term vision to be a research-intensive,

innovative and entrepreneurial economy like Sweden, Finland or Israel.

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Future R&D Directions – RIE 2015 Plan

Key Research Facilities in Singapore

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Creating the Innovation Environment

The R&D Journey: Our Success Factors

Strong Govt commitment to

R&D

Attractive Business

Environment

Recognition and Strong Protection

of IP

Access to Market

Education and Talent

Attraction

An Integrated Strategy

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Scope of Presentation

• Creating the Innovation Environment

• The Need for an Innovation-Driven Economy

• Sustained Investment in R&D

• Future R&D Directions – RIE 2015

• Creating the IP Protection Infrastructure

• The Need for IP rights protection

• Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)

• A Global IP Hub in Asia – Singapore’s IP Hub Master Plan

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Need For IP Rights Protection

IP – An Increasingly Important Component of Market Value of Businesses

Source: Ocean Tomo15

IPOS: An Overview

Statutory board under Ministry of Law since April 2001

Advises on and administers IP law

Promotes IP awareness and IP service sector

Builds capacity to facilitate the development of IP

Staff strength - 220

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●

●

●

●

Global Benchmarking

World Economic forumCompetitiveness Report - IP protection

Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Report - IP protection (Among Asian countries)

Intellectual Property Rights Index (IPRI) - IP protection, copyright piracy level (among Asian countries)

IMD Competitiveness Yearbook -Patent and Copyright Protection/ Protection of IP Rights

BSA Software Piracy Rate

2010

3rd

1st

1st

5th

30%

2011

2nd

1st

1st

9th

34%

2012

2nd

*

1st

7th

*

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Corporate Purpose, Mission & Core Values

A trusted partner to empower creators of our knowledge economy

Corporate Purpose

Mission

To provide the infrastructure, build expertise, and grow the ecosystem in support of the greater creation, protection and exploitation of IP

Core Values

● Integrity ● Professionalism ● Teamwork ● People Focus

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IPOS: Patents

• 1937-1994: Re-registration of granted UK or EPO(UK) patents

• 1994: 1st Singapore Patent Act enacted

• 1995 till now: Self-assessment system

• Jul 2012: Bill passed to introduce positive grant system • Further strengthens our IP infrastructure as an IP Hub

• Aligns our patent regime closer to other international regimes

• Raises the overall quality of patents granted in Singapore

• Strengthens business and investor confidence in our IP regime

• Early 2014: Positive grant system to be implemented

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IPOS: Patents

Source: WIPO World Intellectual Property Indicators 2012

Singapore – One of the World’s top 20 in terms of Patent Filings

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Interoperability of IP Regimes

PPH with:USPTOJPOKIPOSIPO

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Singapore’s IP Hub Master Plan

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) HUB MASTER PLANDeveloping Singapore as a Global IP Hub in Asia 1 April 2013

http://www.ipos.gov.sg/Portals/0/Press%20Release/IP%20HUB%20MASTER%20PLAN%20REPORT%202%20APR%202013.pdf

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IP Hub Master Plan – Strategies

Outcome 1:A Hub for IP Transactions and Management

Strategy 1: Develop a vibrant IP marketplaceStrategy 2: Facilitate IP transactions

Outcome 3: A Hub for IP Dispute

Resolution

Strategy 4: Promote and strengthen IP dispute resolution capabilities

A GlobalIP Hub in

Asia

Enabler 1:Skilled manpower

Strategy 5: Build a globally competitive IP workforce networked to the region

Outcome 2: A Hub for Quality IP Filings

Strategy 3: Provide stronger reasons to file IP in Singapore

Enabler 2:A conducive and

progressive environment

Strategy 6: Enhance the tax environmentStrategy 7: Promote thought leadership and build international perception

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Hub for IP Transactions and Management - Initiatives

A whole-of-government programme office has been set up to develop the IP and legal sectors.

Introduce an IP financing scheme, where it partially underwrites the value of patents used as collateral in event of default.

IPOS will set up a Centre of Excellence for IP Valuation to build competency and support IP transactions.

Singapore Exchange has encouraged listed companies to disclose their IP rights via their Regulator’s Column to enhance transparency of IP transactions.

Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) scheme – a tax incentive - to help Singapore companies in-license IP to support innovation / productivity improvements.

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Hub for Quality IP Filings - Initiatives

Invested S$50 million to build up Singapore’s Patent Examination (S&E) Unit.

Strong indigenous S&E capabilities and an extensive network of Patent Prosecution Highways (PPHs) especially in Asia will encourage more first filings in Singapore and using Singapore as a gateway to secure IP protection in other countries.

Develop a IP regime not only meeting international standards, but is also progressive and of world-class quality to support the needs of IP owners in Singapore and beyond.

IPOS will invest S$15 million to strengthen IP Academy to deliver advanced IP education and training, to serve the IP Hub

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Enhance the profile and strengthen the capabilities of our IP Court.

Work with Singapore International Arbitration Centre to establish a panel of top international IP arbitrators in Singapore.

IPOS will collaborate with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre to offer a new expert determination option for patent disputes.

Hub for IP Dispute Resolution - Initiatives

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Conclusion

• Innovation is critical for a global city to fuel economic growth, sustainable

development and maintain global relevance.

• Singapore recognizes that developing an agile Innovation-IP system, a

robust but user-friendly IP infrastructure that safeguard the interests of IP

creators and enterprises will secure future success of a global city.

• Sustained investment in R&D attracts the talent who forms the motive

force behind the ideas, inventions and enterprise.

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IP Week @ SG 2014Aug 2014

Intellectual Property Management for C-Suite

- a global convergence of thought leaders in IP profession, leaders of

global companies and successful entrepreneurs to dialogue on IP’s

pivotal role in business growth and changing the world.

World Patent Symposium

- a global thought exchange and networking platform to discover the

latest developments in the patent world, and engage in dialogues that

will influence patent practices and business decisions. 27

THANK YOU

www.ipos.gov.sg

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