Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Chan Chun Sing, announced on 27 August 2019 the launch of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore’s (IPOS) subsidiary – IPOS International – at the opening ceremony of IP Week @ SG 2019. The new entity, built on deep expertise and extensive networks established over the years within the IPOS Group, will support enterprises and industries for business growth through the commercialisation of their intangible assets (IA) and intellectual property (IP). Singapore’s first Skills Framework for IP – a world first – was also launched at the two-day conference, which attracted more than 3,500 participants from over 45 countries. Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with five other IP Offices and an overseas media organisation will be inked, bridging the innovation ecosystems with the international communities and supporting the translation of ideas and IP into products and services.

IPOS International helps enterprises and industries go global with their intangible assets

IPOS International, the expertise and enterprise engagement arm of IPOS, brings together over 100 IP experts with strengths in IP strategy and management, patent search and analysis, and IP education and training, to help enterprises commercialise their IP and IA. Taking an enterprise-centric approach, IPOS International provides customised programmes and advisory services tailored to specific business needs. For a start, businesses can use Illuminate^® for Enterprises, a free tool designed to help businesses assess their IP management status. In 10 minutes, businesses will receive key insights on potential IP gaps and risks, as well as tips and recommendations for further actions.

Companies can also tap on IPOS’ extensive networks covering 90% of global trade to expand globally through their IP and IA. Together, IPOS and IPOS International will deliver value to enterprises and industries by building global networks with local and foreign innovation communities, and growing IP expertise and manpower for Singapore and beyond.

Mr Daren Tang, Chairman, IPOS International, said, “As Singapore’s economy transforms, enterprises will increasingly turn to innovation to drive business growth. To support them on this challenging journey, we have decided to bring together over 100 of our IP experts under one roof to provide new solutions and tools for these enterprises. We will also work closely with partners in government and the private sector, in Singapore and overseas, to offer holistic solutions to innovative enterprises as they scale up into the region and beyond.”

New skills framework to grow IP expertise and raise competencies for the region

As today’s economy is increasingly driven by innovation, the demand for professionals who are skilled in managing IP and taking ideas to the global market will rise. To support the growing demand for IP expertise and skills development in the IP sector, the  world’s first national-level framework for IP manpower development – the Skills Framework for IP – was also launched at the event.  The framework aims to raise the overall competencies of IP professionals, helping them identify career development pathways and the skills needed to succeed in high-value roles requiring IP skills across the public and private sectors.

Covering 11 job roles and 60 technical and general skills across five tracks – IP Commercialisation, IP Legal, IP Management, IP Strategy, and Patent Prosecution – the framework will support the Singapore innovation ecosystem in building a pool of competent and industry-ready IP professionals to support enterprises as they take their ideas and IP global. The framework also identifies emerging skills that such professionals need. Jointly developed by IPOS, SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore, together with employers, industry associations as well as education and training providers, the Skills Framework for IP supports jobseekers as they explore career opportunities, and helps companies design talent attraction, development and management plans.

Information on the Skills Framework for IP can be found here skillsfuture.sg/skills-framework/Intellectual-Property.