Singapore introduces default procedure for multi-party arbitration appointments

The Singapore government has amended its International Arbitration Act (SIAA) to introduce a default procedure for appointment of arbitrators in multi-party arbitrations.

The amendments also give Singapore-seated arbitral tribunals and the Singapore High Court the power to enforce confidentiality obligations.

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Arbitration of intellectual property and licensing disputes

Rights holders have traditionally turned to court litigation to protect IP rights such as patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets – or to enforce IP licensing agreements. This brings certain challenges, such as a public forum, unfamiliar laws and procedures, judges with varying IP law expertise, concern for national interests, and the risk that a judgment cannot be enforced in other jurisdictions. Arbitration offers an alternative mechanism and has a number of advantages, including confidentiality, a neutral forum or a single forum, the ability to select arbitrators with technical expertise, symmetrical risk for licensors, and cross-border enforceability of arbitral awards. This chapter considers the viability and desirability of arbitration as a means of resolving cross-border IP and IP-related disputes with a focus on Asia.

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