6 SEP 2022 | Tuesday

9.00am – 9.10am

Welcome Address

Speakers

Mrs Rena Lee Chief Executive Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

9.10am – 9.20am

Opening Address by the Guest of Honour

9.20am – 9.35am

WIPO-IPOS IP for Innovation Awards

9.35am – 9.45am

Keynote Remarks

Speakers

9.45am – 10.15am

Break

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.

Speakers

Mrs Rena Lee Chief Executive Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

Mr Rowel S. Barba Director General Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)

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

Speakers

(more to come soon)

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.

(more to come soon)

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 take 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.

Speakers

	Mr David J. Kappos Partner Cravath, Swaine & Moore
	Dr Stanley Lai Partner, Head of IP and Technology Department Allen & Gledhill
	Mr David Shavin QC The Victorian Bar Inc

(more to come soon)

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.

Speakers

	Mr Alfred Yip Director IPOS International
	Mr Jeffrey Tiong Founder and Chief Executive Officer PatSnap

(more to come soon)

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.

Speakers

Mr Beat Weibel Chief IP Counsel and Group Senior Vice President Siemens

(more to come soon)

6.30pm – 8.30pm

Dinner Extravaganza

7 SEP 2022 | Wednesday

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.

Speakers

Mrs Catherine Chammartin Director General Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property

(more to come soon)

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.

Speakers

(more to come soon)

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 Futurist, Chief Skills Officer and Chief Research Officer SkillsFuture Singapore

Speakers

Prof Susanna Leong Vice Provost and Dean, School of Continuing and Lifelong Education National University of Singapore

(more to come soon)

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 Pennsylvania State University

Speakers

(more to come soon)

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

Speakers

Dr Lim Jui Chief Executive Officer SGInnovate

(more to come soon)

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 Director Amica Law

Speakers

	Justice Valerie Thean High Court Judge Supreme Court of Singapore
	Prof Leslie Chew SC President Asia Pacific Institute of Experts
	Prof Shane Allen Synder Executive Director, Nanyang Environmental & Water Research Institute Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
	Mr James Nicholson Senior Managing Director Head of Asia FTI Consulting

(more to come soon)

5.30pm – 7.00pm

Closing Reception