Day 1, 27 August 2024 | Tuesday

9.00am

Registration

Welcome Remarks by Chief Executive, IPOS

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

10.15am

Opening Address by Guest-of-Honour

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

10.30am

WIPO-IPOS IP for Innovation Awards

10.45am

Keynote Remarks by Director General, WIPO

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

11.00am

Tea Break

11.30am

Plenary 1 – The Future of IP: Trailblazing or Trailing Tech Disruptions?

The rapid advancement of technologies such as generative AI, distributed ledger and augmented reality has significant impact on the global economy and innovation systems. By 2030, the total market value of such technologies is predicted to reach $9.5 trillion, a six-fold increase from 2020. How might IP offices discharge their traditional roles as IP regulators in the face of technological disruptions and challenges? Should IP policies trailblaze or trail technological breakthroughs? This plenary explores the evolving mission of IP offices in supporting wider national economic and innovation policies in the era of rapid technological advancements.

Moderator

Ms Dawn Tan CNA Presenter MediaCorp

Speakers

	Mrs Rena Lee Chief Executive Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)		Mr Ono Yota Commissioner Japan Patent Office (JPO)
	Mr Xaysomphet Norasingh Chair of ASEAN Working Group on IP Cooperation and Director General, Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Lao PDR		Mr Etienne Sanz de Acedo CEO International Trademark Association (INTA)

1.00pm

Lunch

Business Track

Legal Track

2.00pm

Panel 1A – The Intangible Investment: Assets vs Liabilities

With an estimated global value of US$62 trillion, intangible assets (IA) are a cornerstone of today’s innovation-driven economy. While businesses and investors unfamiliar with IA may view it as a liability, forward-looking investors around the world have started recognising the value that IA/IP brings to businesses. Globally, financial institutions such as the Business Development Bank of Canada, Aon, and NatWest have launched innovative products which support enterprises’ access to capital through IA/IP. In Asia, IP financing has grown significantly over the years, particularly in markets such as China and Korea. For example, IP-pledged lending in China has grown to US$67 billion in 2022, at an average annual growth rate of 28.4% since 2016. In Korea, the IP financing market is expected to exceed US$14 billion by 2026. How might IA/IP aid investors and enterprises in financing decisions? Are intangibles an asset or liability? Join our panel of C-suites, investors, and financiers as they discuss how IA/IP factor into key investment decisions.

Moderator

Ms Dawn Tan CNA Presenter MediaCorp

Speakers

	Mr Dan Herman Chief Executive Officer Intellectual Property Ontario
	Mr Kok Ping Soon Chief Executive Officer Singapore Business Federation
	Mr Justin St. George CEO Syswell
	Mr Murli Ravi Co-Founder Tin Men Capital
	Mr Clarence Tan Managing Partner Origgin Ventures

Panel 1B – The Successful Alternative: Dispute Resolution for IP and Tech

In today’s globalised world, innovation has become increasingly collaborative, yet competitive. The global race for the next big thing has spun a sharp rise in IP and technology-related disputes internationally. IP filing strategies alone no longer suffice for innovative enterprises seeking growth or market dominance. Now more than ever, there is a need to resolve IP and tech disputes expediently without disrupting valuable commercial relationships. A survey by the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA) points to speed and impartiality as key considerations across dispute resolution mechanisms, including alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Against this backdrop, this panel examines the pros and cons of ADR options for resolving IP and technology disputes, including the considerations in selecting jurisdictions for legal actions.

Join our esteemed panel of experts, who will share their insights on the unique challenges of IP and technology disputes, and the features of a robust dispute resolution ecosystem, including cutting-edge dispute resolution initiatives in IP destinations like Singapore.

Moderator

Dr Stanley Lai SC Partner, Head of IP Practice and Co-Head of Cybersecurity and Data Protection Practice, Allen and Gledhill LLP Chairman, IPOS

Speakers

	Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC Consultant Barrister (Senior Counsel) and Mediator/Arbitrator
	Mr Ignacio de Castro Director WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
	Mr Alan Fan Vice President and Head of Intellectual Property Rights Department Huawei Technologies
	Mr Jonathan Lim Partner WilmerHale
	Dr Ilija Pjanovic Global Head of Intellectual Property, Senior Director IP Nexperia

3.30pm

Tea Break

4.00pm

Panel 2A – The Start-up IP Playbook: What Every Founder Should Know

In today's fiercely competitive startup landscape, IP stands out as a vital differentiator for securing funding and ensuring successful exits. Recent data revealed that European startups applying for patents and/or trade marks in their initial seed or early growth stages were up to 10.2 times more likely to secure funding from investors. Additionally, the filing of patent and/or trade mark applications correlated with a more than twofold higher likelihood of a successful exit for investors. Other forms of IP such as copyright and registered designs can also be equally valuable for startups.

Registering IP like patents and trade marks may be the first step in managing IP for startups. Beyond IP registrations, how should startups manage their IP as a business? Our panel of seasoned founders, accelerators, and investors will draw from their own experiences, offering insights and practical advice to guide startups in sidestepping common pitfalls and establishing a robust foundation for attracting investment and scaling their business.

Moderator

Mr Tom Phillips World Intellectual Property Review and Life Sciences Intellectual Property Review

Speakers

	Dr Koh Shuwen Director, Innovation Transfer Office, National University Health System Director, Technology Transfer and Innovation, National University of Singapore
	Mr Aditya Mathur Founder and Managing Director elev8.vc
	Mr Raghav Narayan CEO Aprisium
	Dr Buzz Palmer Co-Founder and CEO MedTech Actuator
	Mr Akbar Vahidi Co-Founder and CTO Allozymes

Panel 2B – The Open Secret: Embracing Innovation vs Safeguarding Confidentiality

Recent high-profile cases of leaked company secrets on generative AI (GenAI) systems such as ChatGPT serve as stark reminders of the potential risks that businesses face in protecting their sensitive data. While we embrace new technological advancements and applications, including a shift towards an open innovation environment, such security incidents underscore the need for robust legal frameworks to protect strategic business assets. In today’s rapidly advancing technological landscape, safeguarding trade secrets and confidential information has never been more crucial. This panel addresses the latest trends and developments surrounding the intersection of technology, innovation, and legislation.

Moderator

Prof David Llewelyn Professor of Law, Singapore Management University Managing Director, David Llewelyn & Co LLC

Speakers

	Prof Daryl Lim H. Laddie Montague Jr. Chair in Law, and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation Founding Director of IP Law and Innovation Initiative, Penn State Dickinson Law
	Mr Lim Ren Jun Principal Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow
	Mr Patrick Patnode President of GE Licensing
	Ms Welly Tantono Group General Counsel Secretlab

5.30pm

Networking Dinner

Day 2, 28 August 2024 | Wednesday

8.30am

Registration

9.30am

Plenary 2 – The Crossroads of IP: Man or Machine in the Age of AI?

2023 was undoubtedly the breakout year for artificial intelligence with the advent of Generative AI. In the preceding five years, more than half a million AI-related patent applications were filed in the US alone. AI is projected to contribute up to US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Whilst AI continues to power innovations and transform the way we work and live, the technology has also raised several questions regarding the traditional application of IP laws. Various stakeholders stand gathered at the crossroads of AI and the IP regime as the development of AI reaches an inflection point. Might AI be recognised as a creator? Must creators only be human? Is it tenable for the IP system to continue supporting AI innovation while holding on to the tenet that only human beings can be inventors, designers, authors and creators? Join us as this plenary discusses the multi-faceted issues contemplating the IP system in the age of AI.

Moderator

Prof Simon Chesterman Vice Provost (Educational Innovation) and Dean (NUS College) NUS

Speakers

	Mr David Kappos Partner Cravath, Swaine and Moore LLP		Ms Kim Hee-Eun Director (Competition Policy, APAC) Meta
	Ms Denise Wong ACE (Data Protection and Innovation) and Deputy Commissioner (Personal Data Protection Commission) IMDA

11.00am

Tea Break

11.30am

Plenary 3 – The Economics of IP: Costs or Benefits for Businesses and Policymakers?

As companies strive to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace by investing in intangible assets, they increasingly rely on IP to protect these assets. Global IP applications have surged over the last decade, with patent applications reaching 3.5 million, and trademark applications reaching 15.5 million in 2022. This surge, together with the rapid digitalization worldwide, is generating a wealth of data on IP and innovation activities. How can these data be used to generate insights that support decision-making by business and governments? Join us as we explore the economics of IP, and learn from leading international economists and consultants on the importance of IP data and economic analysis in informing decision-making by businesses and governments.

Moderator

Dr Carsten Fink Chief Economist World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Speakers

	Ms Wendi Backler Partner and Director Boston Consulting Group		Dr Michael Falk Chief Economist IP Australia
	Dr Andrew Toole Chief Economist United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

12.30pm

Lunch

Business Track
The Value of Intangible Assets
A collaboration with ACRA

Legal Track

2.00pm

Fireside Chat
The New Value Driver: The Role of Intangible Assets in Driving the Future Economy
(2.00pm - 2.45pm) 

Global corporate R&D spending has quadrupled over the last two decades to hit a record high of EUR 1.3 trillion in 2022. Businesses are increasingly prioritising investment into intangible assets over tangible assets. It has been found that companies investing more in intangible assets are associated with higher growth. The traditional notions of wealth and value are undergoing a profound shift, where intangible assets have emerged as the new engines of value creation. How do intangible assets drive innovation, competitiveness and long-term growth in the future economy? What role might international organisations have in helping economies and companies use their intangible assets for growth? Join the heads of the international organisations for valuation and intellectual property in this fireside chat as they explore the challenges and opportunities presented by this paradigm shift.

Moderator

Mr Lie Kok Keong Council Chairman Institute of Valuers and Appraisers, Singapore (IVAS)

Speakers

	Mrs Lim Hwee Hua Chair, Board of Trustees International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC)
	Mr Daren Tang Director General World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Panel 3B – The Judges’ Panel: Insights on Global IP Cases
(2.00pm - 3.30pm)

This panel brings together distinguished judges from various jurisdictions to share their insights on thorny issues confronting the IP fraternity. The judges will focus on topical issues, and where possible discuss these issues in the context of recent judgments from their respective jurisdictions.

Moderator

Mr Mark Lim Director (Hearings and Mediation Department) and Chief Legal Counsel IPOS

Speakers

	Justice Dedar Singh Gill High Court of Singapore
	Lord Justice Colin Birss Court of Appeal of England and Wales
	Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC Consultant Barrister (Senior Counsel) and Mediator/Arbitrator
	Dr Klaus Grabinski President of the Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court

2.45pm

Panel 3A – The Future Unicorn: The New World of Intangible Asset Finance
(2.45pm - 3.45pm)

In 2023, global intangible asset (IA) value stood at USD 61.9 trillion, or more than half of global GDP. The modus operandi of international finance, which places emphasis on tangible assets such as property, must evolve. With over 1,200 unicorns worldwide, most of which are driven by IA, global investment firms have been on the race to spot the next unicorn. Traditional lenders, including banks, are also catching up on IA financing. How might the international finance system evolve to support the growth of future unicorns? How should financiers, practitioners and business owners consider IA credit analysis, valuation, risk, and due diligence? Join us, as our panel of experts discuss the new world of IA financing.

Moderator

Mr Ashish McLaren Managing Director Kroll Singapore

Speakers

	Mr Martin Brassell CEO and Co-Founder Inngot
	Prof Choi Chul Professor of Law Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
	Mr Terence Koh Managing Director, Sector Solutions Group, Group Wholesale Banking UOB
	Ms Lally Rementilla Managing Partner, Intellectual Property-Backed Financing BDC Capital

Tea Break
(3.45pm - 4.15pm)

Tea Break
(3.30pm - 4.00pm)

Panel 4A – The Right Price: Capturing the Full Value of Intangibles
(4.15pm - 5.30pm)

Seven U.S. tech behemoths, affectionately named the “Magnificent Seven”, single-handedly drive the rise and fall of the S&P 500 in recent times. They are leaders in cutting-edge technology and their market dominance reflects the substantial share of value driven by intangible assets in the modern economy. As intangible assets such as Artificial Intelligence and other frontier technology play an increasingly important role in modern value creation, the valuation ecosystem and profession need to keep pace. What would it take to achieve credible and trusted intangible asset valuation? Do we need to enhance the intangible asset information available to valuers, build intangible asset valuation guidelines, align practices across markets or others? Join experts on this panel as they discuss what it would take to get the price or value right for intangible assets.

Moderator

Mr Alex Tan CEO Zico Capital

Speakers

	Dr Stephen Ho Group Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director SkyLab Holding Pte Ltd
	Mr Keoy Soo Earn Global Consulting Deloitte Private Leader and Southeast Asia Deloitte Private and Private Equity Leader
	Ms Ong Leyu Director, Equity Capital Markets SGX
	Mr Chris Polson Partner, PWC Canada Vice Chair of the CBV Institute

Panel 4B - The Court In Action: Roleplay on the Simplified Process
(4.00pm - 5.30pm)

The “Simplified Process for Certain IP Claims” seeks to increase access to justice by ensuring that costs and time spent are kept proportionate to the complexity and value of a claim. Its special features — aimed towards completing the trial within 2 days — include caps on costs and monetary remedies, active case management, and early identification of issues by the judge. These measures are intended to help SMEs and individuals of limited means enforce IPRs or defend themselves. The Simplified Process is inspired by the UK IP Enterprise Court, which has seen success in making IP litigation in the UK efficient and effective.

The Honorable Justice Dedar Singh Gill, Lead Judge of the specialised IP/IT list in the High Court, will preside over the roleplay. Attendees will gain a first-hand appreciation of the salient features of the Simplified Process, and enjoy the rare opportunity to pose questions to his Honour at the end of the roleplay.

Speakers

	Justice Dedar Singh Gill High Court of Singapore
	Mr Mok Ho Fai Content Protection Counsel, APAC (Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment) Motion Picture Association
	Ms Christine Saw Associate Bird & Bird ATMD LLP
	Ms Gladys Tan Director David Llewelyn & Co LLC
	Mr Just Wang Associate General Counsel (IP and Content) Meta

5.30pm

Closing Reception