As enterprises increasingly integrate intangible assets (IA) and intellectual property (IP) into their strategic frameworks, the distinguishing factor often lies in effectively leveraging these valuable resources for growth and expansion.

In collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Academy, IPOS International organised the inaugural Executive Programme in Intangible Asset Management from 4 – 8 March in Singapore.

With the theme of “Turning Ideas into Tangible Business Values”, this 5-day programme covered informative lectures, analysed real-life case studies and group discussions. It aimed to equip participants with the knowledge to unlock the full potential of their IA/IP and explore innovative strategies for successful commercialization. Participants also got to go on learning journeys to innovative companies like Tencent and Amazon-IMDA Joint Innovation Centre at IMDA PIXEL to learn about their IA/IP best practices.

We were honoured to have Mr. Sherif Saadallah, Executive Director of WIPO Academy to deliver the welcome remarks and Mr Victor Owade, Counsellor of WIPO Academy, to conduct the first session. Upon completing the workshop, participants received a certificate jointly issued by WIPO Academy and IPOS International.

Programme participants on their learning journey at Tencent Singapore.

Programme participants attending the training session by the CEO of Inngot at the IPOS International office

Course title

WIPO IPOS International Executive Programme in Intangible Asset Management – Turning Ideas into Tangible Business Values 

Date

4 – 8 March 2024 (In-person)

Objectives

The workshop aims to help businesses to identify and protect their valuable IA/IP. During the course, participants picked up tools and techniques to develop and protect new ideas and technologies and learnt the necessary skills to effectively negotiate licences, collaborations, or partnerships during market expansion.

Participant’s Profile

We had a diverse group of 15 participants representing six different countries and a wide range of industries. Our participants came from various backgrounds, including legal, research, academic, and intellectual property management.

About the workshop

The training commenced with an introduction to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the role IP plays in a globalised world by an invited speaker from WIPO. The following session was then led by a seasoned legal practitioner from Wong Partnership, where the session provided a comprehensive focus on leveraging IP for competitive advantage in the market and delved into assessing the relevance of various IP types to optimise IP protection strategies and mitigate risks of IP infringement.

Following this, the CEO of Inngot led an insightful session on crafting an IP strategy that aligns with the broader business strategy, emphasizing the importance of understanding IP valuation and employing both active and passive means for IP commercialization. This session also explored strategies for market expansion with varied business models, supplemented by engaging case studies and hands-on exercises to deepen participants' understanding.

Additionally, an academic from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) shared insights into the pivotal role of research and development (R&D) in driving innovation.

As part of the learning journey, visits to PIXEL Innovation Hub and Amazon Singapore offered valuable insights into Amazon's brand protection initiatives and their journey in Intellectual Property Management (IPM). In addition, the visit to Tencent Singapore provided firsthand insights into the role of IP within the organization and how effective IP management contributes to their overall business strategy.

Programme participants at the IMDA's PIXEL Innovation Hub.

Programme participants having fun at the Amazon-IMDA Joint Innovation Centre.

About WIPO Academy

The WIPO Academy is the center of excellence for intellectual property (IP) education, training and skills-building for WIPO member states, in particular developing countries, least-developed countries (LDCs) and countries in transition. The Academy works to help build human capacity in IP, which is essential to innovation and creativity.