In a reform to the intellectual property (IP) dispute resolution
landscape in Singapore, the Intellectual Property (Dispute
Resolution) Act 2019 ("the Act") came into operation on
12 November 2019 with aims of strengthening the patent protection
framework and reinforcing Singapore's profile as a hub for
international arbitration. The legislative changes brought about by
the Act include consolidation of IP proceedings, arbitration of IP
disputes, fast-track options for IP litigation, and revision of
patent third-party observations and patent post-grant
re-examination.
I. Consolidation of Civil IP proceedings at the
Singapore High Court
Previously, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
(IPOS), the State Courts and the High Court shared jurisdiction
over IP disputes, with the forum determined by the nature of the IP
right, the remedy sought and the value of the claim. Notably, the
High Court only had exclusive jurisdiction over disputes that
relate to
