Singapore Businesses To Benefit from Savings on Software Purchases Under New Programme

Singapore, 19 October 2004 – Singapore businesses can now look forward to a special Business Software Licensing Programme starting from 20 October 2004. The new Programme is a pro-business initiative by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the Intellectual Property (IP) Taskforce to help Singapore businesses prepare for the new copyright legislation due to take effect from January 2005.

Ms Liew Woon Yin, Director-General, IPOS said,

“The Software Licensing Programme aims to help businesses ensure that they have the right software licenses for their needs.”

“Now is the time to get ready. When the new copyright legislation is enforced beginning 2005, companies that willfully and significantly infringe copyright could face criminal prosecution,” she said.

IPOS has brought together software companies, Adobe, Autodesk, Macromedia, Microsoft and Symantec as initial partners for the Programme. IPOS is also calling for more software companies to be part of this initiative.

Under the Software Licensing Programme, participating software companies are making special discounted software offers of up to 40 per cent for a limited period to Singapore businesses, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore.

IP Taskforce members like Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) welcomed the Software Licensing Programme.

Mr. Lawrence Leow, President, ASME encouraged SMEs to take advantage of the Programme, saying

“The Software Licensing Programme is providing a helping hand to SMEs as they prepare for the new laws.”

“This initiative from IPOS and software companies is a welcome boost to help businesses ensure their software use is legal.”

Mr Patrick Koh, Chief Operating Officer, SiTF said the new laws that strengthen copyright would also help develop Singapore’s software industry by encouraging and rewarding innovation and investment.

“The Software Licensing Programme is a good example of government and software industry working together to help Singapore business. SiTF encourages Singapore software companies to join this Programme and offer their homegrown software,” he said.

Since last year, IPOS has been actively engaging businesses through the IP Taskforce, public seminars and industry roundtables ahead of changes to be made to our patent, copyright and trademark regimes. In July, IPOS launched a “Say No to Piracy” campaign which comprises both business and consumer elements. The education campaign targeting businesses has started since June last year with a series of intensive Software Asset Management seminars conducted jointly by the IP Taskforce and the Business Software Alliance. After today, IPOS will also launch a series of advertisements to announce the programme. Businesses can also log on to the new IP law microsite at www.newiplaws.org.sg (Please note that the New IP Laws website has been decomissioned as at December 2006) to find out more on the new copyright provisions.

For media enquiries, please send your queries to:

Email: IPOS_IPCHAPTER@ipos.gov.sg
Visit us at www.ipos.gov.sg

About IPOS
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore or IPOS is the lead government agency that formulates and regulates 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’ 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.

About the IP Taskforce
Comprising seven leading business associations and five government statutory boards, the Taskforce was established in June 03 to help Singapore businesses prepare for stronger IP laws arising from the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. More information can be found on www.newiplaws.org.sg (Please note that the New IP Laws website has been decomissioned as at December 2006)

Members of the IP Taskforce include:

Private Sector:

Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
CommerceNet Singapore
Designers Association of Singapore
Singapore Business Federation
Singapore Institute of Architects
Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
Singapore infocomm Technology Federation

Public Sector:

Singapore Economic Development Board
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
International Enterprise Singapore
Media Development Authority of Singapore
SPRING Singapore