6 SEP 2022 | Tuesday

Registration and Morning Break 

Note: In line with the latest guidelines, we would be carrying out Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS). All participants entering or remaining in the event venue are required to be fully vaccinated. Find out more details under our FAQ section here. 

9.30am – 9.40am

Welcome Address

Mrs Rena Lee Chief Executive Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)

9.40am – 9.50am

Opening Address by the Guest of Honour

Mr Edwin Tong SC Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law Singapore

9.50am – 10.05am

WIPO-IPOS IP for Innovation Awards

10.05am – 10.15am

Keynote Remarks

Mr Daren Tang Director General World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

10.15am – 11.45am

Keynote IP Leaders’ Plenary – Charting our Future with IP 

2020 saw record IP filings despite experiencing the biggest economic shock since the Great Depression – global IP filings crossed 17 million, a 13% increase from the previous year. Against all odds, the IP sector and ecosystem proved to be remarkably resilient. Innovation and IP activities remain vibrant and are poised for further growth. The advent of cutting-edge technologies powered by artificial intelligence, Big Data and the Internet of Things present unparalleled opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs alike, putting the spotlight on the IP system.

How might national and international IP organisations collaborate and develop more innovative programmes to better prepare for such game changers? This plenary brings together the Heads of IP offices to explore how IP offices around the world may work together and enable the global economy and enterprises to chart our future with IP.

Moderator

Ms Dawn Tan News Anchor and Senior Producer MediaCorp

Speakers

	Mrs Rena Lee Chief Executive Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)		Mr Rowel S. Barba Chair of ASEAN Working Group on IP Cooperation (AWGIPC) & Director General, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)		Dr Shen Changyu Commissioner China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) (Virtual)
	Mr Koichi Hamano Commissioner Japan Patent Office (JPO)		Honorable Kathi Vidal Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

11.45am – 1.00pm

Plenary – Unpacking an Intangible Future: An Art or Science

The global value of intangible assets (IA) has grown by over 20% in the past two years to reach $74 trillion in 2021. Brick and mortar enterprises with traditional businesses, first disrupted by the FAANG and Big Tech companies, are increasingly challenged by a myriad of IA-rich enterprises with innovative business models. Gone are the days when the might of a company is measured by the size of its hard assets alone.

Yet, there is a need to level up our ability to unlock the value of IA, including IP. Are traditional methods of business management in the areas of accounting, financing, valuation and auditing sufficient to support an IA-powered global economy? Why do global discrepancies in the management and unpacking of IA persist? This session assembles a diverse plenary of practice leaders to dissect IA and address how professional bodies and international organisations might work together to better harness IA as the new engine of growth.

Moderator

Ms Dawn Tan News Anchor and Senior Producer MediaCorp

Speakers

	Dr André Gorius Chair of IP Valuation Committee Licensing Executives Society International (LESI)		Mr Clement Lau President Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)		Mr Lie Kok Keong Chairman Institute of Valuers and Appraisers, Singapore (IVAS)
	Mr Etienne Sanz de Acedo Chief Executive Officer International Trademark Association (INTA)		Mr Richard Stewart OAM Chair of Business Valuation Board International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC)

1.00pm – 2.30pm

Lunch

2.30pm – 4.00pm

Business Track Panel 1A –

Of Avatars and Cryptos: IP in a Brave New (Virtual) World

The metaverse is estimated to be worth $800 billion by 2024, up from $500 billion in 2020. Whether you are tokenised in Silks, Meta Triads or the Guild of Guardians, the urge to hop onto the bandwagon of a fast-growing virtual community is now more compelling than ever. Just last year, $17.6 billion worth of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) were traded, a whopping 21,000% jump from 2020. Blockchain, NFT, the metaverse – these rapid advances in the new digital age and virtual reality space are set to transform the way businesses operate and engage their customers.

Technology giants, luxury brands, financial services, retail and consumer goods have boldly ventured into these new areas. How might a business get in the game, or risk being left behind? What are the IP implications in the world of NFTs and the Metaverse? Hear from pioneers and leaders on the opportunities and IP considerations for businesses to succeed in the brave new world of avatars and cryptocurrencies.

Moderator

Ms Dawn Tan News Anchor and Senior Producer MediaCorp

Speakers

	Dr Jon Lee Founder & Chief Executive Officer VIZZIO Technologies
	Mr Nathanael Lim Co-Founder Avium
	Ms Oh Pin-Ping Partner Bird & Bird ATMD LLP
	Mr Shadab Taiyabi President Singapore FinTech Association (SFA)
	Mr Yeong Zee Kin Assistant Chief Executive (Data Innovation and Protection Group), Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) and Deputy Commissioner, Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)

Legal Track Panel 1B –

Patenting Through Machines: Invention or Idea

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have revolutionised the technological sector. Correspondingly, there are key legal and IP implications and developments that companies should be aware of. The landmark Australian Federal Court decision in 2021 to recognise the AI system “DABUS” as an inventor was overturned in April 2022, aligning Australian patent law with other jurisdictions like the US, UK and Europe. It remains to be seen if “DABUS” will succeed in any of its appeals. Can AI be recognised as an inventor? Who would own an invention made by an AI?

Separately, in relation to the patentability of computer software, the US Federal Circuit has struggled to determine the best approach to satisfy the two-step test since the US Supreme Court’s 2014 decision on Alice v CLS Bank. In what circumstances would computer software and computer-implemented services be patentable inventions? Is it possible to design a test that balances the various competing considerations, while providing sufficient certainty to stakeholders?

Hear from leading practitioners as they discuss what more could be done to provide clarity on the nature of patents in key legal decisions across various jurisdictions.

Moderator

Prof David Llewelyn Professor of Law Singapore Management University (SMU)

Speakers

	Prof Ryan Abbott Professor of Law and Health Sciences University of Surrey
	Mr David J. Kappos Partner Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
	Dr Stanley Lai Chairman, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), Partner and Head of IP Practice Allen & Gledhill LLP
	Mr David Shavin QC The Victorian Bar Inc

4.00pm – 4.30pm

Break

4.30pm – 6.00pm

Business Track Panel 2A –

Of Swords and Shields: Winning in Business Through IP Analytics

Big Data, as well as advances in data analytics and machine learning, have transformed industries around the world. Governments and firms invest billions into R&D as they compete to innovate and develop new business advantages. Yet, there remains untapped potential in the vast trove of IP and technical data. Between 2015 and 2020, there were over 130 million published patent documents. The strategic use of IP data enables business leaders and policymakers to make sharper decisions and achieve better outcomes. They guide business decisions in R&D investments, entering new markets, mitigating potential risks, protecting and commercialising new products and services. IP data and analytics are powerful tools that serve to either defend a business interest or advance a company’s offensive objectives.

In this panel, leading technology and data practitioners will share how they have gazed into the crystal ball and derived actionable intelligence from IP data to win in the innovation race.

Moderator

Mr Alfred Yip Director IPOS International

Speakers

	Mr Dinesh Narayanan Kutty Global Head of Patent Search & Analytics Clarivate
	Ms Eugenie Merigeault Customer Success Director Questel
	Mr Thomas Ting Chief Technology Officer Maritime and Port Authority (MPA)

Legal Track Panel 2B –

Competing or Collaborating through Standard Setting: FRAND or Foe

Europe dominated patent filings in 3G and 4G, enabling the high-speed internet access and video streaming that we have been so familiar with. The race for 5G and 6G has shifted geographically to Asia. The learning curve for emerging economies has shortened as mobile penetration rates soared in Asia. In 2021 alone, Chinese companies accounted for about 35% of the 38,000 6G-related patent applications globally.

Historically, patenting activities precede market adoption, as seen with 3G technologies. Pre-commercial 6G infrastructure and testbed markets are estimated to be valued at $5 billion by 2030. Even so, the outlook for standard essential patents remains highly competitive.

It is game on for innovators seeking to trailblaze the market through 5G and 6G standard setting. But is this a zero-sum game or can we work towards a win-win situation? This panel brings together global leaders to explore the issues around the race to set 6G standards and the associated standard essential patents.

Moderator

Mr Lam Chung Nian Head of IP, Technology & Data Group WongPartnership LLP

Speakers

	Mr Toshi Futamata Chairman, SEP Research Group (Japan); Visiting Senior Researcher, The University of Tokyo
	Mr Christian Loyau Legal and Governance Director European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
	Dr Jari Vaario Head of Asia Patent Transactions & External Alliances Nokia
	Mr David Wang Bin Director of Asia Pacific IPR Department Huawei
	Mr Beat Weibel Chief IP Counsel and Group Senior Vice President Siemens

6.30pm – 8.30pm

Dinner Extravaganza

7 SEP 2022 | Wednesday

Registration

Note: In line with the latest guidelines, we would be carrying out Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS). All participants entering or remaining in the event venue are required to be fully vaccinated. Find out more details under our FAQ section here. 

9.00am – 10.30am

Keynote Plenary – Innovating to Zero: Subtracting Carbon, Adding IP 

It is high-time for countries and companies to zero in and take action if we are to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The past decade has seen a rise in IP filings related to environmental goals, driven by investments into environment, social and governance (ESG) focused initiatives. One obvious role for IP is to incentivise innovation activities in the fields of sustainable and green technologies.

Introduced in 2013, WIPO Green is an online marketplace for an exchange of sustainable technology to support global efforts addressing climate change. Beyond these, what else can IP do in ensuring a more sustainable future?

This keynote plenary will discuss how innovation and IP help businesses drive ESG impact, and at a larger scale, achieve our collective Sustainable Development Goals.

Moderator

Dr Ming Tan Founding Executive Director Tech For Good Institute

Speakers

Prof Irene Calboli Professor of Law Texas A&M University School of Law

Mrs Catherine Chammartin Director General Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)

Mr Paul Davies Managing Director EverEdge Global

Prof Oded Shoseyov Professor of Plant Molecular Biology Hebrew University of Jerusalem

10.30am – 11.00am

Break

11.00am – 12.30pm

Plenary – Banking on Intangibles: The Future of Financing

The global economy is increasingly powered by intangible assets (IA). Today, IA accounts for 90% of corporate value among the S&P 500 companies. Studies have found that investment in intangibles, including IP, yields better firm performance, productivity and growth. Intangible-intensive companies have also been more resilient to economic shocks.

Are financial institutions keeping pace with the rise of the intangible economy? How can governments work with the private sector to create a vibrant ecosystem for innovative enterprises to access financing through their intangible assets?

This plenary will examine the future of financing and what it would take for enterprises and innovators to effectively bank on their intangible assets.

Moderator

Mr Alex Haigh Managing Director, Asia Pacific Brand Finance PLC

Speakers

	Mr Pascal Faure CEO French Patent and Trademark Office (INPI)		Mr Iain Potter Executive Vice President J.S. Held LLC
	Ms Lally Rementilla Managing Partner Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)		Mr Brian Toh Managing Director Vertex Holdings

12.30pm – 2.00pm

Lunch

2.00pm – 3.30pm

Business Track Panel 3A –

From Great Resignation to Great Hire: In Search of Innovation Skills

Global enterprises are constantly competing in innovation; coupled with the effects of the Great Resignation, it has been challenging for enterprises to succeed and achieve growth. By 2025, it is estimated that there would be $8.5 trillion in unrealised revenue due to a skills shortage. The workforce will need to upskill to face the challenges of not just today, but also the future. To win the innovation race powered by IA and IP, companies need expertise and skills in IA/IP management.

The Singapore IP Survey in 2021 found that the top three industries that required employees with IP skills were manufacturing, lifestyle and essential services. How can IP and innovation skills value-add to businesses, and support their internationalisation plans? Learn about the importance of upskilling and reskilling to create a future-ready workforce.

Moderator

Dr Gog Soon Joo Chief Skills Officer SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)

Speakers

	Mr Samir Bedi Partner ASEAN Workforce Advisory Leader and Singapore Government & Public Sector Leader Ernst & Young Advisory Pte Ltd
	Ms Winnie Chan CEO & Co-Founder Bynd Artisan
	Prof Susanna Leong Vice Provost and Dean, School of Continuing and Lifelong Education National University of Singapore (NUS)

Legal Track Panel 3B –

Going on Record with Copyright and Trade Secrets

Non-registrable IP and intangible assets such as trade secrets, copyrights and data are increasingly critical drivers of business growth. However, many businesses have yet to fully leverage these intangible assets. For example, a study in 2021 found that 3 in 4 senior executives felt that trade secrets were an important, if not essential, part of their business. That said, only about 2 in 3 businesses had procedures in place to deal with the threat or actual theft of trade secrets.

What are some of the measures that enterprises and innovators can implement to better protect, manage and use these non-registrable IP and intangible assets? This panel will identify the due recognition for non-registrable IP – and their critical role in business growth.

Moderator

Prof Daryl Lim H. Laddie Montague Jr. Chair in Law Penn State Dickinson Law

Speakers

	Ms Usha Chandradas Co-Founder (Plu)ral Art LLP
	Mr Cheah Yew Kuin Principal Counsel The Walt Disney Company
	Ms Sheena Jacob Partner and Head of Intellectual Property CMS Holborn Asia

3.30pm – 4.00pm

Break

4.00pm – 5.30pm

Business Track Panel 4A –

From Start-up to Unicorn: Unleashing the IP

At the start of 2021, there were 800 unicorns worldwide with a total market valuation of more than $2 trillion. Among them, Asia and North American unicorns accounted for almost 90 percent of the total value of unicorns worldwide. The chances of a start-up becoming a unicorn are slim. Competition to scale is intense. Achieving financial viability is tough. A solid business strategy incorporating IA and IP-related strategies could provide the competitive advantage to build the unicorn of tomorrow.

What are some of the IP challenges and needs unique to start-ups? What should entrepreneurs look out for in their innovation journey? Hear from leading enterprises, incubators and accelerators to learn how start-ups can join the billion-dollar club.

Moderator

Mr Winston Chan Group Managing Partner FT Consulting Pte Ltd

Speakers

	Mr Alan Chan CEO of Lazada Malaysia CRO of Lazada Group
	Ms Jesley Chua Chief Financial Officer ONE Championship
	Dr Lim Jui Chief Executive Officer SGInnovate
	Mr Shailesh Naik Group CEO & Founder MatchMove
	Mr Clarence Tan Founder Origgin Pte Ltd

Legal Track Panel 4B –

Taking a Stand on IP Disputes with Expert Evidence

Expert evidence plays an important—and sometimes pivotal—role in IP disputes. Despite the integral role of technical subject-matter experts and valuation experts in the dispute resolution process, the roles and responsibilities of an expert witness are often shrouded in mystery or simply misunderstood.

As one of the leading cross-border dispute resolution centres in the world, Singapore seeks to build IP dispute resolution capabilities and market its IP dispute resolution services internationally.

The new Rules of Court in Singapore (effective 1 April 2022) have effected fundamental changes to the expert opinion regime in Singapore by placing the control over expert evidence firmly in the hands of the court. This panel will examine the impact of these changes on IP disputes anchored in Singapore.

Moderator

Mr Tony Yeo Managing Director of Intellectual Property Drew & Napier LLC

Speakers

	Prof Leslie Chew SC Dean, School of Law, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), Senior Consultant, RHT Law Asia LLP, Singapore, President, Asia Pacific Institute of Experts (APIEx)
	Mr James Nicholson Head of Asia Economic and Financial Consulting FTI Consulting
	Prof Shane Allen Snyder Executive Director, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore)
	Ms Elaine Tan Senior Director Legal Razer Inc.
	Justice Valerie Thean High Court Judge Supreme Court of Singapore

5.30pm – 7.00pm

Closing Reception