2025 I Registries of Patents, Designs & Plant Varieties: Sarah Lye

Partnerships in IP

These last 5 months, I had the valuable opportunity to undertake an internship with the PDPVP - Policy and Programmes department at IPOS. Having just graduated from university back then, I was looking to expand my abilities with on-the-job training for IP and policy matters, and joining the PDPVP team proved to be the right choice.

My first policy-related engagement was to attend the virtual Standing Committee on the Law of Patents meeting held in Geneva. This was a multilateral forum for international Patents-related discussions Through this meeting, I learnt about the importance and functions of IP in a global context and became more familiar with the process of multilateral policy meetings. It was interesting to note how technological advancement, such as in AI, has an impact on patents policy and legislation.

Additionally, I got to work with peers from Trade Marks, Media & Communications, and IPOS International on upcoming events. This included the Patents Taskforce meeting involving delegates from the ASEAN IP Offices, as well as a collaboration with the Japan Patent Office for their ASEAN-Japan Patent Experts meeting. Seeing these arrangements come to fruition provided a fuller picture of the relationship between the government IP officials in the region, and how each meeting programme comes together to drive the work forward.

Cooperation & acceleration

IPOS’ close cooperation with other countries is reflected in the patent acceleration programmes ,such as the Patent Prosecution Highway and ASPEC programmes, allowing local and foreign businesses to obtain faster patent protection in ASEAN due to the collaboration between the IP offices. I had the chance to also work on the marketing and publicity plan for these programmes, and in the process better grasped how each programme could be used to complement the different strategic interests of patent filers.

All in all, this chance has been a fulfilling experience that exceeded expectations. The time spent here has been a rewarding and enriching experience. I would like to extend a warm thank you as it came with no shortage of solid support and guidance from my supervisor and colleagues. I am grateful to have worked alongside their diligence in this conducive environment. I have confidence that the skills polished during my time here will be beneficial to open new doors in future roles and the public sector – and already, it has propelled me in moving forward to the next step in my career.

I am looking forward to where it takes me next!