IP Conference to discuss strategies for economic recovery

1. Global IP thought leaders will discuss intellectual property (IP) strategies to drive economic recovery at Singapore’s annual signature IP conference - IP Week @ SG 2021, from 24-25 August 2021.

2. The event brings together international heads of IP offices and organisations, legal experts and enterprise leaders who will discuss key intangible assets (IA)/IP issues facing enterprises and insights on using IA/IP to reposition their businesses for growth.

3. The complimentary webinars will cover topics such as IP licensing and commercialisation strategies, protecting IP and managing brands in the digital space, the role of IA in business valuation and financing, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) developments on global IP regimes.

4. Mr Edwin Tong, SC, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Second Minister for Law, will deliver the opening address on 24 August, 1130 am (Singapore time). Announcements will feature more IP support for enterprises to emerge stronger in the post-pandemic world.

5. The event will also feature the signature Global Forum for Intellectual Property (GFIP) involving World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Daren Tang and heads of IP offices and organisations from around the world including China, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. They will share insights on how IP can accelerate national economic growth strategies and support businesses in their innovation journeys to emerge stronger from the pandemic.

6. In its 10th edition, IP Week @ SG 2021 will run as a hybrid event with in-person and virtual attendees on the first day (24 August) at Marina Bay Sands Singapore and a fully virtual format on the second day (25 August). With safety as a key priority, the event is in full compliance with prevailing Covid-19 safe management measures.

7. Said IPOS, Chief Executive, Mrs Rena Lee, “The pandemic has created challenges and opportunities for businesses. Those that have successfully adapted and shifted to new business models and created solutions to fight the pandemic have seen their businesses grow. IP Week @ SG 2021 comes at a time when the world economy is still finding its footing and enterprises are looking to see how they can be ready for the future recovery. Enterprises can glean insights from the world’s IP thought leaders who will share current global perspectives on pressing IP issues of the day facing enterprises around the world.”

8. Mr Daren Tang, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) said, "In spite of the massive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods, industries and enterprises that have embraced digitalization, technology and innovation have shown remarkable resilience. To overcome the pandemic and build back better, countries should harness the power of IP as a catalyst for job creation, investments, enterprise growth and economic development. IP Week @ SG 2021 will provide a platform for the global IP community to discuss concrete ways for IP and innovation to help the world build back better.”

9. Mr Rowel S. Barba, Director General, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and Chair of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC), said, "Economies powered by innovation and creativity are proving to be most resilient and have the greatest opportunities for a strong recovery. For emerging economies, IP's role in recovery must be highlighted and optimised as we create new value for a new normal. This crisis can be a period for building a golden age for knowledge economies where even MSMEs contribute and benefit. But we must work more, and unite more, to achieve our envisioned robust, responsive and inclusive IP system."

10. Said Etienne Sanz de Acedo, Chief Executive Officer, International Trademark Association, “The COVID-19 pandemic made clear the central role that IP and innovation can play in a global humanitarian crisis. We’ve witnessed countless examples of brands finding innovative solutions to address urgent challenges. IP not only serves to protect that innovation. It conveys safety and security in the marketplace when consumers need it most. It also provides a sense of continuity and certainty for the future. As we emerge from this crisis, the global IP community must seize this opportunity to adjust our course and project ourselves into a future with a stronger, more unified, accessible, and efficient innovation ecosystem. This will not only allow brands to flourish, but humanity too.”

11. Mr David Holdsworth, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Operational Delivery, United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) said, “A strong, efficient and accessible IP system is a vital starting point as we emerge from the pandemic, creating confidence that ideas will be protected and innovation rewarded. IP is helping tackle today’s biggest challenges, while shaping the world of tomorrow as economies look to recover. Creativity and innovation will help us bounce back better, in greener, more sustainable ways. IP sits at the heart of the UK’s innovation strategy, and we are proud of our contribution to helping unleash the potential of the individuals, businesses and institutions we serve.”

12. Mr Pascal Faure, Director General, National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI, France) said, “The recovery cannot take place without innovation, companies know this and in particular SMEs. They are obviously getting on with the launch of new projects as the number of filings in France illustrates. As a result of the effects of the pandemic, this renewed interest of SMEs in IP protection comes at a time when INPI – French Patent and Trademark Office - has already put in place an ambitious awareness program which is based on a wide range of support and training services to promote and support these traditionally recalcitrant small companies. In particular, INPI has been offering a series of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), free of charge and accessible from our website inpi.fr ↗ (opens in new tab) for the past few months. It addresses, in a fun way, the fundamental notions of IP and completes a series of other services that range from IP diagnostics to personalized coaching. Around one hundred people working at INPI in the service of growth thanks to innovation implement this global awareness program through our national and international networks.”

13. IP Week @ SG 2021 will also feature, the “WIPO-IPOS IP Innovation Awards” to recognise outstanding innovations and IP management strategies by Singapore companies that have advanced the growth of their companies during the pandemic. In addition to the GFIP sessions, and the “WIPO-IPOS IP Innovation Awards”, there will also be other associated events happening alongside IP Week @ SG 2021. More information can be found on www.ipweek.sg ↗ (opens in new tab).

For media queries, please contact:

Jenny Kwok
+65 8333 7231
jenny_kwok@ipos.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)

Alvin Hang
+ 65 8181 3456
alvin_hang@ipos.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)