|
|
|
The 15th Annual Fordham Conference on International IP Law and Policy and the 4th Annual Fordham Law School - IP Academy (Singapore) Asian IP Law and Policy Day provided an excellent opportunity to glean the latest insights in IP thoughts, trends and developments. Mr. Adrian Chiew, Senior Assistant Director/ Legal Counsel and Mr. Khor Aik Lam, Assistant Director, from IPOS attended the conference which was held from 11 to 13 April 2007 in New York City.
One of the highlights of this year's Fordham Conference was the discussion on likely developments in the IP scene over the next ten years. It was felt that there could be greater harmonisation of substantive trade marks procedures. Nevertheless, it was unlikely that there would be much substantive change in patent law. However, with increasing cooperation among IP offices, particularly between the European Patent Office, the Japan Patent Office and the US Patent and Trademark office, changes in global patent examination procedures were likely. Lastly, the following issues are likely to increase in prominence, namely; pertaining to enforcement (particularly in the area of counterfeit medicines); IP and antitrust/competition law and dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization (WTO). |