Youth are aware of Intellectual Property (IP) but IP knowledge could improve

70% of youth in Singapore know about IP with copyright being the most familiar intellectual property type amongst youth. However, knowledge about types of IP such as copyright, patents and trade marks dipped to around 20% when probed further. Among the 1000 youths polled, half observed IP rules in their everyday life – crediting images used to owners, legally streaming and downloading music, and purchasing authentic goods. 2 out of 3 youths were not aware of how to protect the content they develop, and half of the youth surveyed wanted more Government-led education and resources to help them understand IP rules and guide them on IP creation.

2. These were key insights from a Singapore IP and Youth survey jointly conducted by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the National Youth Council (NYC) that was unveiled today at the World IP Day (WIPD) event. Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State (MOS), Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, graced the event that featured a youth panel discussion themed ‘Innovating for a Better Future’. (See Annex A below for more details on the IP and Youth survey.)

3. Said Mr Tan, “Through the Singapore IP Strategy 2030, we are committed to supporting our youth in their innovation journey by providing an enabling environment for them to innovate and create. Youth can acquire Intangible Assets (IA) and Intellectual Property (IP) skills and competencies across industry sectors, including the arts and creative sectors. By equipping them with the knowledge and awareness to protect the IP of what they create, youth can continue to think creatively, and boldly expand their horizons in our increasingly digital world.”

4. The key highlight of the event was a youth panel discussion that featured Benjamin Kheng, a popular musician and content creator, Louis Tan, a young business leader and Founder & Chief Executive Officer of FOMO Pay Pte Ltd, Sabrina Shiraz, co-founder and host of podcast Randomly Relatable SG and IP expert, Benjamin Cheong to share their IP journeys. (See Annex B below for more information on the WIPD panellists.)

5. In support of innovation and entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs can seek complimentary advice from IPOS' IP Business and Legal Clinics which tap on the expertise of professionals to provide IP advice for individuals and business owners seeking IP protection and monetisation. Entrepreneurs can also register trade marks on the go with the IPOS Go Mobile app. Business owners can use the Brand Search function on the IPOS Go Mobile app to conduct searches for social media handles, domain names, trade marks, and business names.

6. To groom the next generation of IP professionals, IPOS has programmes such as the Mentoring IP Leaders programme (IP MILE), where third and final year law students are mentored by participating law firms during IPOS’ IP Legal clinics, and the Young IP Mediators Initiative (YIPMI) which gives law students an opportunity to be involved in IP mediation.

7. IPOS continues to raise awareness about IP for innovation and entrepreneurship among tertiary students. Since its launch in 2019, the Future Leaders in INnovation Transformation (FLINT) programme has benefitted more than 600 students from more than 9 Institutes of Higher Learning. The NYC has also provided over 700 youths with a platform to innovate and turn their ideas into tangible action through the Youth Action Challenge (YAC). Youths can also access dedicated physical spaces at Somerset Belt and receive support to prototype ideas in the arts, environment and sports scene.

8. As part of the Singapore IP Strategy 2030 that was unveiled last year, young working professionals can look forward to receiving more structured guidance to develop IA/IP skills across industry sectors. IPOS and SkillsFuture Singapore will work together to integrate IA/IP skills and competencies into relevant job roles and career maps for more developmental pathways in IP.

Media Contacts

Jenny Kwok
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
Jenny_KWOK@ipos.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)
+65 8333 7231

Chanel Chan
National Youth Council Singapore
Chanel_CHAN@nyc.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)
+65 9757 6695

About the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) helps businesses use intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets to grow. We are committed to building Singapore into an international hub for intangible assets and IP to drive Singapore’s future growth. We are a government agency under the Ministry of Law. www.ipos.gov.sg.

About the National Youth Council

At NYC, we believe in a world where young people between 15 to 35 years of age are respected and heard and have the ability to influence and make a difference to the world. Together with our partners, we develop future-ready youth who are committed to Singapore by instilling in them a heart for service, resilience and an enterprising spirit.

Annex A: Singapore IP and Youth Survey

Annex B: WIPD panellists’ profiles

1. Benjamin Kheng

Benjamin Kheng is a Singaporean musician, actor, writer, director, and vocalist of The Sam Willows, which landed a coveted spot on Forbes' annual 30 Under 30 Asia list. As a solo artist, he was nominated for Best Southeast Asian Act in the MTV EMA's 2020 and won Single Of The Year for his track Better With You at the Youth Music Awards 2021. Benjamin’s recent film work includes the biopic film Wonderboy, and being nominated for Best Actor in the Raindance Film Festival for his work in The Breakup List.

Benjamin is also the co-founder, writer and creative director of critically acclaimed comedy series The Benzi Project and The Ann & Ben Project. He serves as writer and creative consultant for a number of brand campaigns through his creative agency, Charle King.

2. Louis Liu

Louis Liu is the founder and CEO of FOMO Pay Pte Ltd, which is the leading Fintech company in the region to enable merchants and financial institutions with digital banking and digital payment solution. Its featured customers include OCBC, ICBC, Changi Airport, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa etc. FOMO Pay is recently acquired by AMTD Digital, a financial conglomerate from HK and a leading financial provider in ASIA.

Mr Liu was featured in the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list (Asia, Finance & Venture Capital). FOMO Pay was also placed as the winner of the 2017 FinTech Awards by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and The Association of Banks in Singapore, and the winner of OCBC Emerging Enterprise Award 2018.

3. Sabrina Shiraz

Sabrina is the co-founder and host of the podcast "Randomly Relatable SG", which talks about things that youths relate to. Sabrina manages the design collaterals for the RRSG podcasts, liaising with clients and content creation/ideation. Being the female voice of the podcast, she gives a balanced perspective between Shuraim and Uwais to ensure that there is a check and balance of views.

4. Benjamin Cheong

Benjamin has worked as a lawyer in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai and has two decades of experience in advising clients on commercial intellectual property, technology and data protection. He started his career doing IP and continues to be actively involved in this area of law today. In the course of his career, he has negotiated with counterfeiting syndicates, raided factories and sued counterfeiters in court. With the growth of the digital and knowledge-based economy, Benjamin has a keen interest in cybersecurity, blockchain technology, fintech, digital payments, NFTs and AI and keeps abreast with developments in these new technologies and industries.

5. Oon Shu Ann (host)

Shu An is an actress who has been spreading her natural warmth and energy across theatre, TV, film and the internet. A graduate of the acting course at LASALLE College of the Arts, Shu An is a theatre, film and television actor. Notably, her best-known roles were the ill-fated Song Dynasty courtesan Jing Fei in the Netflix cult favourite Marco Polo, lawyer Stephanie Szeto in Code of Law and the troubled ex-con on her path to redemption Frances Lee in HOOQ’s How to be a Good Girl. You can see her hosting the newest season of Renovaid.

Besides being an actress and host, Shu An is also an Associate Artist with Checkpoint Theatre. Her sell-out one-woman show with them, the cross-media production '#UnicornMoment' was nominated for Best Original Script at the Life! Theatre Awards. She has also had Best Actress nominations for her roles in Pangdemonium’s Chinglish and Esplanade’s Mergers and Accusations.