The issues examined in the case Hawley & Hazel Chemical Co. (s) Pte Ltd v Szu Ming Trading Pte Ltd [2008] SGHC 13 will determine whether there should be a legal or contractual obligation on the part of the licence grantor to limit the influx of parallel imports that a licensee or distributor might face […]
News
Singapore Copyright Saga – Right of privacy v Virtual Copyright
The case initiated by Singapore anime distributor- Odex, against Internet service provider- Pacific Internet in August 2007, has been concluded As a recap, Odex brought several lawsuits against Singapore-based Internet service providers so as to obtain details of the identities of online copyright infringers who had illegally downloaded anime movies. In the District Court, Judge […]
Update and Review of the Protection of Geographical Indications in Indonesia
On 4 September 2007, the Indonesian Government endorsed the Government Regulation No. 51 Year 2007 (GR 51) as the implementing regulation for the provision on Geographical Indications (GI) provided under Chapter VII Law No. 15 Year 2001 concerning Marks. A geographical indication, by definition of GR 51 Article 1, is a sign that indicates the […]
India and America - Hollywood and Bollywood join forces against piracy
With over one billion people, India is one of the world's largest markets for films; this includes both home grown "Bollywood" and Hollywood movies. However, both Hollywood and Bollywood complain that piracy, a phenomenon throughout Asia, is cutting into their earnings. Both lose millions of dollars a year due to lax enforcement of copyright laws […]
Patent Litigation in India – The Case of Bajaj – TVS Dispute
The Digital Twin Spark Plug Ignition [DTS-i] technology debate between the two wheeler manufacturing giants Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors continues. The patent war has now reached the Supreme Court with Bajaj seeking a restrain on the manufacturing and selling of TVS' two-wheeler 'Flame'. Bajaj has sought a revocation of the Madras High Court order […]
Local Working of Patents in India
There is a requirement to file a statement of information (Form 27) regarding the working of a patent in India. The working of a patent means the commercial exploitation of the invention that is embodied in the patent. These statements can be supplied every financial calendar year, within three months of the end of each […]
Attempt to patent an architectural design in Singapore
A former Country Club manager has attempted to patent his concept of high-rise gardens in apartment blocks in Singapore. His 'garden house in the sky' concept, submitted to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (Ipos) earlier this year, has come against much criticism as many industry experts are of the view that the patent will […]
Asian Countries fight copyright infringement
The attempt to combat piracy in the ASEAN region seems like an up-hill task. It has reached the point that potential investors are more concerned about whether their IP rights will be protected as opposed to where the most profit can be made. Thus, Asia is regarded as a destination to be explored with great […]
Copyright IP Rights - Unauthorised iPhone sales in Singapore
The long-awaited Apple iPhone arrived mid of last year in the USA. It was then introduced in the UK, Germany and France in November 2007 and was only supposed to be launched in Asia in 2008. However, unlocked iPhones, which can be used with a local SIM card, were already on display in shopping centres […]
Seiko Epson Corp v Sepoms Technology Pte Ltd and Another (2007) SGCA 52
In this case, the plaintiff manufactured ink jet printers and the defendants manufactured and sold compatible ink cartridges, which could be used to replace ink cartridges produced by the plaintiff. Both parties were patent owners in relation to ink cartridges. In 2007, the Singapore High Court decided on whether an infringing party might use the […]