Opinion & analysis
The Penguin Thoughts
How to Clear a Brand Name in Singapore (Before You Print Packaging)
You've picked the name. The logo looks great. The designer has just sent the final packaging proofs. You're about to print 5,000 boxes, order the shopfront signboard and pay for the launch ads. One question: have you checked whether anyone else already…
Your Research Is New. Is Your Invention Novel?
You have an exciting result. Your experiments show that knocking down Protein X makes cancer cells much more sensitive to Drug Y. Knockdown: experimentally reducing the expression of…
Patent 101 for ScientistsYou Have Interesting Results. But What Exactly Is the Invention?
You ran an experiment and found something interesting. Cells with high levels of Protein X seem to respond much better to Drug A. You repeat the experiment. Same…
Patent 101 for ScientistsWhy Bother Patenting Your Research?
You have spent years working on a research problem. The experiments finally work. The data looks convincing. Your team is preparing the manuscript. Perhaps an abstract has already…
TrademarkCan You Trademark a Smell? India's Rose-Scented Tyre Case
Can you trademark a smell? Most trade mark regimes are built around signs that can be seen: words, devices, colours, shapes. Olfactory (smell) marks sit uneasily inside that…
TrademarkACRA Registered Your Business Name. But Does That Mean You Own the Brand?
You have registered your business with ACRA. Your company name is approved. Your website is live. Your signboard is up. So the name is yours, right? Not quite.…