Opening Remarks by Mr Wong Sheng Kwai at the IP Seminar for Retailers at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Riverfront Ballroom, Level 3

Opening Remarks by Mr Wong Sheng Kwai, Assistant Director-General, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore at the IP Seminar for Retailers on Friday, 14 January 2005 at 9 a.m, at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Riverfront Ballroom, Level 3

Mr Alban Tay, Association of American Publishers

My Cyril Chua, Entertainment Software Alliance

Mr Matthew Cheetham, Director of Operations, Motion Picture Association

Mr Edward Neubronner, CEO, Recording Industry Association (Singapore)

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to be here this morning for this “Intellectual Property (IP) Seminar for Retailers”, held to bring about greater awareness on the new Copyright legislation that came into effect on 1st January 2005. This is the first time that IP associations have come together with us to help educate local retailers. We hope that this seminar will better equip you with relevant knowledge of the new copyright legislation and how these changes might impact your business.
Over the last ten years, Singapore has been steadily transforming herself from a manufacturing based economy to one fuelled by knowledge and innovation. Our efforts are starting to bear fruit. Revenue from patent and technology licensing has been steadily rising over the past three years. (*In the 2003 R&D survey conducted by A*Star, the data collected shows that the licensing revenue from patents and new technologies developed in Singapore went up from $55.2 million in 2001, to $87.5 million in 2002 and to $132.4 million in 2003.) More of our companies are investing in branding and going international. (*Just yesterday, in the Straits Times, there was a special supplement on “Superbrands” in Singapore). Our media and creative industries are also steadily growing in stature. (*Consider the recent successes of Raintree Productions and vibrant e-gaming sector.) As an investment destination, small though we may be, we offer our trading partners connectivity to key markets in the Asia Pacific, a knowledge-intensive and highly productive workforce, and a safe and stable political environment for work, play and living. And especially for knowledge based industries, our strong IP regime has stood us in good stead in international rankings as choice business location in the region.
But we must not rest on our laurels. In the area of IP, Singapore constantly reviews and upgrades its systems and infrastructure to make itself an even more compelling location for IP business. Last year was a busy year for all of us at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). 2004 saw a landmark revamp of our IP regime to offer greater protection and business opportunities to IP owners.
Of widest impact are the amendments to our copyright legislation that have come into effect on 1 January 2005. Copyright infringement is now a criminal offence if the infringement is done willfully and for commercial advantage or to a significant scale. Another significant aspect are the provisions dealing with anti-circumvention measures. My colleague, Ms Elizabeth Cardoza, will touch on these aspects in more detail shortly. These new laws are admittedly tough, but for Singapore, they are necessary.
A stronger IP enforcement framework will encourage more IP owners and creators to bring new products and innovations to market in Singapore. Consumers will be spoilt for choice with the diversity and quality goods that would ensue. Playing the role of the middlemen, retailers will no doubt also benefit from the increase in business activity.
It is therefore crucial that retailers play their part in supporting the implementation of these new laws. Without the vigilant watch and cooperation from retailers to help reduce piracy levels, IP owners would not be able to effectively secure their market space. You will need to play your part and help educate consumers in stressing the importance of supporting original products and legitimate business so that overall, everyone will gain from a bigger business pie.
One of the channels you can contribute towards educating the consumers is through the HIP Alliance. HIP means Honour Intellectual Property. It is an initiative by IPOS and it aims to educate consumers to ‘Be Creative. Be Original. Be HIP. Live for Real.’ Since its formation in 2001, HIP has partnered several private organisations who share the same concerns on piracy. As a retailer, you are in an excellent position to help the HIP Alliance further the pro-IP message as more often than not, you are the first if not the only point of contact for consumers.
Recognising the important role that you play, we have organised today’s inaugural seminar as a primer, to share with you on the law changes and to gather feedback and concerns if any. Going forward, we hope to continue to engage all of you as our partners in reaching out to consumers under the banner of the HIP Alliance. I thank you in advance for your support.
Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Association of American Publishers, the Entertainment Software Alliance, the Motion Picture Association and the Recording Industry Association (Singapore) for readily giving their support and assistance in organising this seminar.
It leaves me now to wish everyone of you a very fruitful exchange this morning. Thank you.