Singapore’s IP Academy (IPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering top class trademark training as it becomes part of the IP Office of Singapore (IPOS), with a dedicated trademarks programme planned for later this year. The restructuring at the Academy is the latest step in Singapore’s plan to establish itself as the IP hub of the region.

A statement issued earlier this month by IPOS announced that, with effect from April 1 2012, the IPA, had been restructured and become a subsidiary of IPOS). The chief executive of IPOS and chairman of the IPA Board, Tan Yih San, explains: "The strategic alignment of IPOS and IPA is a positive step towards strengthening Singapore's IP capacity-building to establish Singapore as an IP hub of Asia. It serves as the capacity-building arm of IPOS to provide IP professionals with the technical know-how and expertise as well as position Singapore as a thought leader in IP matters.”

Since its establishment in 2003, the IP Academy has been taken the lead in intellectual property education, offering high-level qualifications such as an MSc in IP management. However it also provides a wide range of other training options for businesses, including one-day courses for executives, round-table discussions and IP-related events. This is set to continue under the new structure, with trademarks a key component. An IPOS spokesperson told WTR:  “The IP Academy is committed to continuing training and development for the IP services sector, and this will include raising awareness and standards on trademarks as well as other intellectual property issues. On trademarks, there is an upcoming programme, tentatively scheduled for June 2012, to provide IP professionals with a better understanding of the latest trademarks law trends and case surveys. In addition, IPA will also work closely with its stakeholders to look into offering specialised programmes to address potential training needs in the areas of trademark and other IP issues.”

To give a flavour of the sort of programme of events that the Academy offers, trademark-related events this year have included a training day to prepare businesses and brand owners for the impact of the introduction of gTLDs, and a presentation from local artisan ice-cream maker Udders about how it built a successful brand, with a representative from the IPA also on hand to discuss the trademark issues that the company faces.

Future plans for the IP Academy include continuing to build its faculty of industry experts and developing ties with universities and research centres internationally. As the body continues its efforts to position itself as thought-leader in policy and strategy for Singapore and the wider region, WTR will report further on its trademark offerings.