Jonathan Kok, Head of RHTLaw Taylor Wessing’s Intellectual Property and Technology Practice, has been appointed as a member of the Singapore Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (SDRP) Panel. The SDRP handles disputes over domain names in Singapore. The SDRP is jointly administered by the Singapore Mediation Centre and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. The term of appointment is for a period of 2 years commencing on 1 April 2014.

RHTLaw Taylor Wessing’s Managing Partner Mr Tan Chong Huat, and Partner Ms Ch’ng Li-Ling from the Corporate and Securities Practice have been recognised as “Leading Lawyers” in the 2014 / 24th edition of IFLR1000. IFLR1000 recognises the work of outstanding individuals. Recommendations are based on the law firm’s ranking, client feedback, transactional evidence and peer feedback. IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers are individuals who have proved themselves to be amongst the leading figures in their respective markets. As well as receiving recommendations from clients and peers, these individuals also have a clear track record of innovative work.

An increasing number of business leaders consider intellectual property laws to be a hindrance to doing business, the latest Global Intellectual Property Index (GP14) has found. Against this backdrop, Taylor Wessing launched the fourth Global Intellectual Property Index (GIP14). The Global Intellectual Property Index is the most comprehensive assessment of how intellectual property regimes around the world compare with each other. This 4th edition assesses the regimes of 36 jurisdictions, using more than 14,000 jurisdiction assessments. Wun Rizwi, a Partner in RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP’s Intellectual Property and Technology group in Singapore and contributor to the GIPI report comments: “Singapore’s ranking is notable for the most dramatic improvement amongst all the results with a movement of 30 places to the bottom of the data protection table, and this clearly results from the approval of its wide-ranging new data protection law. Here in Singapore, the success of a business is more dependent than ever on the effective management and protection of its intellectual property. As technology spawns new business models and creates new business opportunities and threats, new IP issues are constantly arising. It is heartening to see that in the face of growing challenges in this new era, the results of the index has shown that Singapore has kept pace with more developed economies in its laws on IP”. Key Findings of GIP14 UK is the top ranked jurisdiction for IP competitiveness overall in a cluster (0.2% score difference) with German and Netherlands The notable movers are New Zealand and Mexico, respectively up six places and down seven places. Brazil sits in Tier 4 and at 31st position but it is hoped that the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 will lead to greater recognition of the value of IP within Brazil, which in turn may lead to improvements, particularly reducing delays in its system. Singapore is ranked joint 12 in the overall GIPI 4 index.  Singapore is one of the dramatic movers in the data protection table. Notes to editors About the Global IP Index The Global Intellectual Property Index (GIPI) provides a comprehensive assessment of how the intellectual property (IP) regimes of 36 important jurisdictions compare with each other. Where applicable, each right – copyright, data protection, patents, trade marks and designs – is assessed as regards obtaining, exploiting, enforcing and attacking it. The GIPI was developed by Taylor Wessing in May 2008 in association with the Z/Yen Group (compilers, in cooperation with the City of London Corporation, of the respected annual Global Financial Centres Index). The results are the statistical output from a worldwide survey of IP owners and users giving over 14,000 assessments, as weighted bearing in mind data from 74 objective sources (or ‘instrumental factors’). We are pleased that previous editions of GIPI have attracted widespread comment. Reference has been made to them by IP creators, IP users, public officials and legislators. If this GIPI4 and our previous reports can assist both in stimulating and informing debate that leads to any improvement in the IP regimes of any of the 36 jurisdictions we have considered, or others we have not, then they will have achieved their aim. The full report is available at www.rhtlawtaylorwessing.com or contact Abdul Malik, RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP: DID:  +65 6381 6985 Email:  malik.ad@rhtlawtaylorwessing.com

Today Taylor Wessing announces the addition of a new office in Jakarta, Indonesia.  A cooperation agreement has been signed with leading Indonesian law firm Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners (HPRP). This cooperation agreement will see Taylor Wessing and HPRP share knowledge, resources and best practice, enabling them to provide a seamless service to clients in Singapore, Indonesia and across Taylor Wessing's wider network of offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  HPRP in Indonesia and RHTLaw Taylor Wessing in Singapore both have reputations as leading firms in their respective jurisdictions, and have been close partners over the last two years.  This partnership marks another strategic step forward for both firms in deepening their Southeast Asian presence. “This past year has seen significant growth for Taylor Wessing,” says Tan Chong Huat, Managing Partner, RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP and Member of the International Management Board of Taylor Wessing. “In Singapore we are fortunate to have grown into new markets, and developed practice specialisms along the way. Our partnership with HPRP, one of the most respected law firms in Indonesia, will give a tremendous boost to our regional Southeast Asian practice.  It will add value and counsel to our clients, many of whom are Indonesian or have a presence in Indonesia. This new and exciting arrangement will not only bring about greater integration in our practices, but also raise our capabilities to a higher level, enhancing our reputation as a firm that blends the best of local knowledge with international capability. This partnership not only brings our two firms closer together; it also brings our people closer together. This is what we have always been good at.” Constant Marino Ponggawa, Managing Partner, Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners added: “Our partners have enjoyed a long-standing and solid relationship with the partners of RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP and are pleased to be in association together to offer our clients the added resources and expertise of a full-services international firm. Both our firms share common values and are committed to ensuring that great opportunities are created for our clients.  This new partnership will give us a new regional footprint in the market.” With the addition of HPRP, Taylor Wessing offers clients access to more than 950 legal professionals across 23 offices in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners is one of the top tier law firms engaged in transnational practice as a full service firm, with roots in one of Indonesia’s first post-independence law firms, the Law Offices of Mr. L. Hanafiah, which was established in 1953. The firm was reconstituted in 1990 as Hanafiah Soeharto Ponggawa and reorganized at various times in the 1990s to reflect Indonesia’s changing situation before taking its present structure in 2004. Providing clients with access to 63 lawyers, Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners is active in the practice areas of Intellectual Property, Labour and Employment, Natural Resources, Power, Infrastructure and Telecommunications, Real Property, Transportation, Banking and Financial Services including Sharia, Capital Markets, Commercial Litigation and Arbitration, Corporate and Commercial Law and Information Technology. RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP is based in Singapore and offers clients access to a network of over 900 legal professionals across 22 offices in Asia, the Middle East and Europe via membership with Taylor Wessing group. RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP is also the Singapore member of The Interlex Group, a global network of leading law firms.