The REAL thing is the RIGHT thing

Singapore, July 17, 2003 –The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore's (IPOS) education effort is beginning to bear fruit as more Singaporeans have pledged to respect and reward originality, creativity and Intellectual Property (IP).
Since last November more than 7000 Singapore students have joined 'HIP' media celebrities to become HIPFriends - a peer ambassadorship programme initiated by IPOS to encourage Singaporeans to adopt a lifestyle of respect for originality, creativity and IP.
More people are expected to join in at this weekend's HIPFair (19 July 2003) when our HIP Ambassador, ex-VCD pirate, Russell Koh as played by SPH Mediaworks' artiste, Adrian Pang, rallies support for IP.
IPOS Director-General Ms Liew Woon Yin said reformed VCD pirate Russell Koh personifies the change in mindset that must occur among Singaporeans as we become a more innovation and knowledge based economy. We must be original and buy original.
"More people are realising that by buying pirated products, we are depriving deserving creators, like artists, musicians, playwrights, programmers and others of precious income that would sustain jobs, boost the economy and incentivise further creativity. Hence, as our HIP Alliance's official Ambassador, Russell Koh so aptly puts it - 'the REAL thing is the RIGHT thing," she commented.
General Manager of Central Singapore CDC, Ms Tan Gee Keow, added "Intellectual Property remains a vital yet little known part of entrepreneurship. By encouraging respect for IP rights amongst our residents, the CDC aims to promote entrepreneurship amongst Singaporeans as they will then reap the full benefits for their creativity and risk taking."
HIPFair 2003 is a celebration of originality. It will showcase original designers, original artistes and original products. IPOS invites you and your family to join our young entrepreneurs as they display their creations at the Skate Park; and our local performance groups like Urban Exchange, Seven, Nalo, Wendi Koh and others as they perform at the Youth Park this coming Saturday afternoon. The HIPFair is also a great opportunity to sign up as a HIPFriend to be a fellow ambassador for IP.
This event is co-organised by the HIP Alliance (a public awareness initiative by IPOS), Central Singapore CDC and Youthop!a. The official media partner for HIPFair 2003 is SPH Mediaworks. This is the second year running that SPH Mediaworks is partnering HIP Alliance to publicise its awareness efforts.
Guest of Honour, Senior Minister of State (Law & Home Affairs), Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee will also grace the occasion in the evening to present Russell Koh, Central Singapore Community Development Council, Youthop!a and The Heeren Shops with their own exclusive HIPFriend card.
HIPFair will be held at The Heeren Shops, Youth Park, and Skate Park from 1pm on Saturday, 19 July 2003.

For media enquiry, please contact:

Ms Jennifer Chen
Assistant Director
Media & Marketing Communications
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
DID: 6331 6548
HP: 93691839
Fax: 63316562
Email: Jennifer_Chen@ipos.gov.sg

About HIP Alliance
The HIP Alliance is an IPOS-led coalition of government agencies, private organisations and industry associations (Please refer to Annex A (54.1KB) for the full list of members) joining hands to promote awareness and respect for intellectual property in Singapore. It is IPOS' key front for its public awareness and outreach programmes.

HIP is an abbreviation for 'Human + Intellectual Property' and the term is used to link the sometimes abstract concept of intellectual property with human qualities like ideas, creativity, innovation and orginality.

About IPOS
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore or IPOS (http://www.ipos.gov.sg) is the lead government agency that formulates and regulates intellectual property (IP) laws, promotes IP awareness and provides the infrastructure to facilitate the greater development of IP in Singapore. With IP fast becoming a critical resource in today’s new economy, IPOS’s vision is to foster a creative Singapore where ideas and intellectual efforts are valued, developed and exploited. Formerly known as the Registry of Trade Marks and Patents, IPOS was established as a statutory board of the Ministry of Law on 1 April 2001.