Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Your Best Intellectual Property Lawyers in Singapore
In 2010, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) chose Singapore to establish an arbitration centre, the first outside Geneva. This powerful testament to Singapore’s robust intellectual property or IP regime tacitly affirms its leadership presence on a global scale. It positions the country as a magnet for international commerce with its forward-thinking recognition and rights protection. Entrepreneurs can trade confidently, knowing they have access to Singapore’s best intellectual property lawyers.
According to the Intellectual Property Office (IPOS) statistics, Singapore’s IP regime ranks high. The country also scores well on the Intellectual Property Rights Index (IPRI), securing second place globally. Further, a solid IP regime is one of the indicative factors for attracting strong Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). In June 2022, FDIs in the country grew to 22.9% of the Nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Intellectual property lawyers are in demand in a world economy where innovation is the order of the day. Ideas and creations need protection just as much as tangible things such as land, automobiles, etc. In some instances, the value of IP can far exceed most physical assets.
However, finding reliable and competent attorneys to successfully protect or fight for your IP rights is a challenge. In our guide and Top 10 list, we’ve taken the initiative to do the legwork for you. You will be in good hands with these attorneys, who are at the top of their field.
What Are Intellectual Property Lawyers?
Intellectual property lawyers practice a unique legal speciality that is as crucial as it is diverse. Essentially intellectual property arises from any idea, creation or invention of the intellect and belongs to its inventor or creator. IP can be technical, scientific, or artistic and includes designs, music, goodwill, reputational capital, brand recognition, etc. These creations are intangible, i.e., having no physical attributes, but can also be capital assets, e.g., industry knowledge.
Attorneys specialising in IP rights need broad legal knowledge and experience, as the work can be contentious or non-contentious. Contentious circumstances arise whenever IP rights are infringed, such as illegally copying or distributing ideas, etc. Non-contentious work entails conducting searches, registering, and protecting IP rights according to the correct mechanism. It also extends to drafting agreements which allow others to use the IP legally.
Exclusive ownership and rights can be tricky and complex without some form of legal protection or recognition. In Singapore, you can protect your intellectual property rights by virtue of several mechanisms. The most popular is by registering it as one of the following:
- Copyright: confers a bundle of rights to the creators of original music, literary, artistic, or digital works such as software, etc.
- Patent: an exclusive right over an invention or solution, which must be a new and inventive way of doing something, usually industrially applicable.
- Trademark: identifies goods or services as belonging to – or being a creation of – a specific individual or company.
Singapore is a signatory of various international IP rights agreements, including the Paris Convention. Several statutes deal with IP, including the Patents Act, Copyright Act, Trademarks Act, Registered Designs Act, etc. These statutes further detail the different lengths of protection for each mechanism and the remedies available for infringement. The best intellectual property lawyers in Singapore also know about intellectual property protection as it applies in cross-border jurisdictions.
Why Do You Need Intellectual Property Lawyers?
Intellectual property is a genuine asset – whether, for business or individual gain, it forms a part of any long-term strategy. In an ideal world, rightful owners get the most benefit out of their creations or inventions. However, reality dictates otherwise, and infringements are common, especially if the IP has a realisable market value. Only proper protection nets the best return on investment and secures viable remedies in the event of any infringements.
However, there’s more to it than simply submitting forms online via IPOS or placing a copyright mark on your logo. Filing for the correct type of protection mechanism is as important as providing accurate and detailed information. Only by properly registering and protecting their IP will entrepreneurs and businesses deter transgressions and promote innovation.
IP is a complex fusion of multiple disciplines – having legal qualifications is a must, but other industry experience also matters. Capable attorneys should be familiar with industry best practices in the fields of technology, science and innovation, etc. Most patents, copyrights, industrial designs, etc., usually have elements of a highly technical nature, such as software or breakthrough treatments. To avoid pecuniary loss and a miscarriage of justice, engaging reliable intellectual property lawyers is the best way forward.
IP rights in Singapore are also territorial – registering a right in the country necessitates defending it there as well. The country offers specific training for its attorneys and jurists so that the legal profession is well-versed in IP matters. This ensures professional and seamless hearings in its IP Court while maintaining efficient outcomes in complex intellectual property cases. Hence, to provide a greater chance of success, only attorneys with the requisite knowledge, experience and skill will do.
Where Should I Find the Best Intellectual Property Lawyers?
Singapore continues to be at the forefront of IP rights, security, and recognition, working relentlessly to establish an international reputation. In 2023, its ten-year roadmap – the Intellectual Property Hub Master Plan – comes to fruition and the outcome appears favourable. Singapore is fast becoming the destination of choice in all matters relating to intellectual property development and protection. A crucial aspect of this achievement is the steady development of the law and the skill of its legal professionals.
While there are plenty of good IP attorneys, finding the best intellectual property lawyers in Singapore requires due diligence. Our Top 10 list ticks all the right boxes – from skill to a proven track record of success. Your intellectual property will get the best protection available with these attorneys by your side.
Here are the Top 10 Intellectual Property Lawyers in Singapore
There are many intellectual property lawyers in Singapore. We worked with industry experts, and some business owners to discuss the best ones among them.
Yuen Law LLC
| Company Name: | Yuen Law LLC |
| Website: | https://yuenlaw.com.sg/ |
| Address: | 50 South Bridge Rd, #02-00/#03-00/#04-00, Singapore 058682 |
| Email Address: | in*****@yu*****.sg |
| Operating Hours: | Monday to Thursday: 9am to 6pm |
| Services Offered: | Consultancy for intellectual property, consultancy for commercial, corporate, inheritance and succession, family, private wealth, and dispute issues. |
PKWA Law Practice LLC
| Company Name: | PKWA Law Practice LLC |
| Website: | https://pkwalaw.com/ |
| Address: | 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #16-00, HDB Hub, East Wing Tower, Singapore 310480 |
| Email Address: | ma**@pk*****.com |
| Operating Hours: | Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm |
| Services Offered: | Consultancy for intellectual property, conveyancing and property law, family law, estate law, litigation & dispute resolution, corporate & commercial law, employment law, criminal defence, privacy & data protection, insurance law. |
Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair Pte. Ltd.
| Company Name: | Mayer Brown PK Wong & Nair Pte. Ltd. |
| Website: | https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/locations/singapore |
| Address: | 6 Battery Rd, #10-01, Singapore 049909 |
| Email Address: | n/a |
| Operating Hours: | Book Appointment |
| Services Offered: | Intellectual Property services, Insolvency And Restructuring Services, Antitrust & Competition, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets |
Dentons Rodyk
| Company Name: | Dentons Rodyk |
| Website: | https://dentons.rodyk.com/ |
| Address: | 80 Raffles Place, #33-00 UOB Plaza 1, 048624 |
| Email Address: | sg*****@de*****.com |
| Operating Hours: | Monday to Friday: 8:45am to 5:45pm |
| Services Offered: | Intellectual Property services, Arbitration, Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Competition and Antitrust, Corporate Law |
That.Legal LLC
| Company Name: | That.Legal LLC |
| Website: | https://www.that.legal/ |
| Address: | 1 George St, Level 10, Singapore 049145 |
| Email Address: | as*@th**.legal |
| Operating Hours: | Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm |
| Services Offered: | Intellectual Property services, Intangible Asset (“IA”) Protection & International Intellectual Property (“IP”) Portfolio Management, Brand Protection Advisory |
Farallon Law Corporation
| Company Name: | Farallon Law Corporation |
| Website: | https://fl.sg/ |
| Address: | 160 Robinson Rd, #22-07 SBF Center, Singapore 068914 |
| Email Address: | in**@fl.sg |
| Operating Hours: | Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday: Closed |
| Services Offered: | Intellectual Property services, Civil Litigation, International Arbitration, Employment Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions |
Gateway Law Corporation
| Company Name: | Gateway Law Corporation |
| Website: | https://gateway-law.com/ |
| Address: | 3 Anson Rd, #24-02 Springleaf Tower, Singapore 079909 |
| Email Address: | **@ga*********.com |
| Operating Hours: | Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday: Closed |
| Services Offered: | Intellectual Property services, corporate & commercial, employment & immigration, franchising & licensing |
Trident Law Corporation Singapore
| Company Name: | Trident Law Corporation Singapore |
| Website: | https://tridentlawcorp.com/ |
| Address: | 1 Coleman St, #05-15 The Adelphi, Singapore 179803 |
| Email Address: | en*******@tr************.com |
| Operating Hours: | Monday to Friday: 9am to 6pm |
| Services Offered: | Intellectual Property services, criminal investigations, criminal defence, white collar crime, litigation & dispute resolution, asset recovery, corporate & commercial practice |
Amica Law LLC
| Company Name: | Amica Law LLC |
| Website: | https://www.amicalaw.com/ |
| Address: | 77, #22-01 Robinson Rd, Robinson 77, Singapore 068896 |
| Email Address: | ma**@am******.com |
| Operating Hours: | Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm |
| Services Offered: | Intellectual Property services, Corporate & Commercial, IP Protection & Management, Litigation & Enforcement, Technology & Licensing |
Joyce A Tan & Partners
| Company Name: | Joyce A Tan & Partners |
| Website: | http://www.joylaw.com/ |
| Address: | 8 Temasek Blvd, #15-04, Singapore 038988 |
| Email Address: | al*@jo****.com |
| Operating Hours: | N/A |
| Services Offered: | Intellectual Property services, Corporate & Commercial, Business Financing, Information Technology, Data Protection & Privacy, Cybersecurity |
End of List on the Top 10 Best Intellectual Property Lawyers in Singapore
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