ASEAN IP Symposium - International Intellectual Property & the ASEAN Way: Pathways to Interoperability

This symposium is convened by the Centre for Law & Business at the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Law as part of an important research project that brings together leading scholars and experts in Intellectual Property (IP) Law and Private International Law. It provides an invaluable platform for in-depth discussions on the need and potential benefits of making the IP systems more interoperable in ASEAN and beyond. By engaging in robust explorations of the commonalities and differences among the various IP systems, it seeks to provide an informed basis for charting a course towards enhanced cooperation and coordination in ASEAN and beyond. This research agenda will be published by Cambridge University Press in a volume to be jointly edited by Elizabeth Siew-Kuan Ng and Graeme Austin titled International Intellectual Property & the ASEAN Way: Pathways to Interoperability.

Contributors include eminent scholars and renowned experts from government, industry, universities and the legal profession of 12 countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, as well as, international organizations including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and European Union (ECAP III).

Front row from left: Ricardo Blancaflor (Philippines), Pisawat Sukonthapan (Thailand), Elizabeth Siew-Kuan Ng (Singapore), Kathryn Tham (Singapore), Thi Thu Le Ha (Vietnam), Diyanah Binte Baharudin (Singapore), Khin Mar Yee (Myanmar)

Second row from left: Jakkrit Kuanpoth (Thailand), Chew Phye Keat (Malaysia), Roberto Romandini (Germany), Graeme Austin (New Zealand), Denis Croze (Singapore/Switzerland), Manda Tay (Singapore), Tsuyoshi Isozumi (Japan)

Dean Simon Chesterman, NUS Law, delivering his Welcome Address. Seated to the Dean's left is Professor Graeme Austin, Victoria University of Wellington/Melbourne University and co-Editor of the volume on "International Intellectual Property & the ASEAN Way: Pathways to Interoperability" to be published by Cambridge University Press.

Ms Diyanah Binte Baharudin, IPOS Hearings and Mediation Group, sharing invaluable insights on "Singapore's IP Dispute Resolution Experience & Desirability and Challenges of Having Interoperability within ASEAN".

Participants from the symposium waiting for the Lee Kuan Yew Distinguished Visitor's lecture by the late Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court The Honourable Antonin Scalia at NUS Law.

(From the front) Jakkrit Kuanpoth (Thailand), Ricardo Blancaflor (Philippines) & Roberto Romandini (Germany)

Taking a break from the symposium to network.
(From the front) Khin Mar Yee (Myanmar), Jakkrit Kuanpoth (Thailand), Thi Thu Le Ha (Vietnam) & Roberto Romandini (Germany)

Ignacio de Medrano CABALLERO, ECAP III, European Union delivering an excellent paper on "Trademark and Design Systems in ASEAN: Regional Integration and Interoperability" via SKYPE.

In conversation, Richard Lyndon GARNETT, Professor of Law, University of Melbourne and Mr. Denis Croze, Director, WIPO Singapore Office

Mr. Chew Phye Keat, President, ASEAN Intellectual Property Association, Malaysia, sharing his immense expertise on "ASEAN IP Paradigm: Proposals from The Profession & Industry".

Dr Pisawat Sukonthapan, Assumption University of Thailand, delivering her insightful presentation on "The ASEAN Copyright Model: Experiences and Proposals from Thailand".