Singapore, 18 April 2008
-
Singapore
is hosting the first-ever gathering of Asian users of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). PCT Asia 2008, which is jointly organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), will be held from 21 to
22 April 2008
.
The PCT provides a useful alternative route for patent applicants filing an “international” application for their inventions. By filing in one PCT country, applicants can simultaneously seek patent protection for their inventions in over 130 PCT countries. Beyond its convenience, the PCT system also provides a competitive advantage to savvy users who use the system strategically.
Leading Asian corporations, such as Creative Technology & LG Electronics, and IP professionals will share their experiences in the strategic use of the PCT, and discuss strategies for preparing PCT applications and maximising the advantages of the PCT system. Distinguished representatives from WIPO will also discuss the latest developments of the PCT regime, share practical insights on the system and provide updates on value-added services to users.
On the collaboration between IPOS and WIPO, Ms Liew Woon Yin, Director-General, IPOS said, ”We are glad to work with WIPO to bring about PCT Asia 2008, the first-ever event that brings together Asian users of PCT, which is a platform for users to share their insights and experiences on the use and benefits of PCT.”
“Sharing similar views, Mr. Francis Gurry, Deputy Director General who oversees the work of the PCT, said “Asia is a region of dynamic growth for the PCT. The impressive number of PCT filings in this part of the world confirms changing patterns of innovation and the increasing importance of Asian users in helping further shape and strengthen the PCT system.”
International and prominent speakers who will share their insights and practical experiences at PCT Asia 2008 include:
· Mr Francis Gurry, Deputy Director General, PCT and Patents Arbitration and Mediation Center, and Global Intellectual Property Issues, WIPO
· Mr Matthew Bryan, Director, PCT Legal Division, WIPO
· Mr Tan Tee Jim, Senior Counsel, President, Association of Singapore Patent Agents
· Mrs Lee Ai Ming, President, Asian Patent Attorneys Association, SG Group
· Dr Heinz Goddar, Boehmert & Boehmert, Munich
· Mr S Sivananthan, Vice President, Legal Services, Creative Technology, Singapore
· Mr Alan Fan, Deputy Director, Intellectual Property Department, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., China
· Mr Saeng Gyu Jeong, Vice President Engineer Fellow, LG Electronics Intellectual Property, Seoul, Republic of Korea
· Mr B Vijayaraghavan, Senior Director – IP, Ranbaxy Inc
· Ms Audrey Yap, Partner, Yu Sarn Audrey & Partners, Singapore
PCT Asia 2008 brings together intellectual property professionals, government officials, lawyers, senior business managers, academia and those who are interested in the filing and application of patents.
We would like to invite you to cover this event. Details are as follows:
Date: 21 April 2008
Time: 9.00am -4.30pm
Venue: Breakthrough Theatrette
Level 4, Matrix Building, Biopolis
A copy of the programme is attached for your reference.
For media queries and RSVPs, please contact:
Ms Evonne Tay
Assistant Director, Public Relations Department
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
Corporate Services Division
Tel: 6331 6574
Email: Evonne_tay@ipos.gov.sg
Ms Nicole Ong
Senior Executive, Public Relations Department
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
Corporate Services Division
Tel: 6331 6552
Email: Nicole_ong@ipos.gov.sg
About Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), a statutory board under the Ministry of Law since April 2001, is the lead government agency that advises on and administers intellectual property (IP) laws, promotes IP awareness and provides the infrastructure to facilitate the 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. More information on IPOS can be found on www.ipos.gov.sg.
About World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest. It was established by the WIPO Convention in 1967 with a mandate from its Member States to promote the protection of IP throughout the world through cooperation among states and in collaboration with other international organizations. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
Supporting Organisations
Association of Singapore Patent Agents (ASPA)
ASPA is an association of persons who are registered with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) as patent agents and are engaged in patent work in Singapore. Patent agency work involves applying for or obtaining patents for inventions, preparing patent specifications and
other documents for obtaining a patent and giving advice concerning the validity or infringement of a patent.
ASPA aspires to promote and enhance the new profession of registered patent agents in Singapore. It aims to do this by promoting and encouraging acceptable minimum standards of quality work, integrity and conduct. In particular, it
· promotes the education and training of patent agents and patent trainees;
· assists in the institution and introduction of practice, procedure, training and legislation concerning patents;
· establishes rules, directive and a code of conduct pertaining the profession of patent agents; and
· engages in activities and reciprocal co-operation with other associations, national and international.
ASPA works closely with the Intellectual Property Academy to train patent agents and other IP specialists to achieve the above objectives.
Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)
The Asian Patent Attorneys Association ("APAA") is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and enhancing intellectual property protection in the Asian region (including Australia and New Zealand).
Established in December 1969, membership of APAA is open to individuals practising the profession of patent attorney in the Asian region as well as organisations which comprise such individuals and are constituted in the Asian region. The association now has nearly 2000 members from 16 Recognised Groups in Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka,Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam as well as from Brunei, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar and Nepal.
PROGRAMME
Monday April 21st 2008 (Day 1)
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome addresses by:
Ms Liew Woon Yin, Director-General, IPOS
Mr Matthew Bryan, Director, PCT Legal Division, WIPO
9:15 – 10:00 The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): A Status Report
Mr Matthew Bryan, Director, PCT Legal Division, WIPO
10:00 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:15 The PCT in Asia – What’s Different
Mrs Lee Ai Ming, President, Asian Patent Attorneys Association, SG Group
11:15 – 12:00 The WIPO Digital Access Service Initiative: New Hope for Electronic Priority Document Exchange
Mr Quan-Ling Sim, Head, PCT Outreach and User Relations Section, WIPO
12.00 – 13.30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:30 PCT Claim Drafting – Strategies for Preparing PCT Applications with National and Regional Phases in Mind
Moderator: Mr Tan Tee Jim, Senior Counsel, President, Association of Singapore Patent Agents
Panel:
1. Ms Audrey Yap, Partner, Yu Sarn Audrey & Partners, Singapore
2. Mr Saeng Gyu Jeon, Vice President Engineer Fellow, LG Electronics Intellectual Property, Seoul, Republic of Korea
3. Mr B. Vijayaraghavan, Ph.D., Senior Director – IP, Ranbaxy, Inc.
14:30 – 15:15 Latest Amendments to the PCT Regulations: 2007, 2008, and 2009
Mr Matthew Bryan, Director, PCT Legal Division, WIPO
15:15 – 15:45 Break
15:45 – 16:30 Patent Intelligence Using the PCT PatentScope service
Mr Hao Zhou, Senior Statistical Analyst, WIPO Patent Information & Statistics Service
16:30 – 19:00 WIPO-hosted reception (for all participants)
Tuesday 22nd April 2008 (Day 2)
9:00 – 9:45 PCT Filing Strategies: Best Practices from Top Asian Corporate Users
Moderator: Mrs Lee Ai Ming, President, Asian Patent Attorneys Association, SG Group
Panel:
1. Mr S Sivananthan, Vice President, Legal Services, Creative Technology Ltd
2. Dr B. Vijayaraghavan, Ph.D., Senior Director – IP, Ranbaxy, Inc.
3. Mr. Alan Fan, Deputy Director, Intellectual Property Department, Huawei Technologies Co, Ltd., China
9:45 – 10:30 Exploiting the PCT Application – Benefits of Licensing Based on a PCT Application and Practice Recommendations
Dr Heinz Goddar, Boehmert & Boehmert, Munich
10:30 – 11:00 Break
11:00 – 12:00 Innovations in PCT (and general patent) statistics at WIPO
Mr Hao Zhou, Senior Statistical Analyst, WIPO Patent Information & Statistics Service
12:00 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:15 Challenges Facing the PCT System
Mr Matthew Bryan, Director, PCT Legal Division, WIPO
14:15 – 15:00 The PCT System Post-Reform: What Does the Future Hold for the PCT?
Mr Francis Gurry, Deputy Director General, PCT and Patents, Arbitration and Mediation Center, and Global Intellectual Property Issues, WIPO
15:00 – 15:30 Closing Remarks
Mr Francis Gurry, Deputy Director General, PCT and Patents, Arbitration and Mediation Center, and Global Intellectual Property Issues, WIPO
Ms Liew Woon Yin, Director-General, IPOS