Prof David Tan on Trade Marks at the 12th Developments in IP Law Series

On Thursday 27 February 2025 at the Conrad Centennial, the 12th Developments in IP Law Series came to a close with its final of four sessions focusing on trade marks with over 150 participants in attendance.

Professor David Tan, who double-hats as Head (Intellectual Property) at the EWBCLB and Co-Director of TRAIL at NUS Law, delivered an entertaining talk on developments in the United States that covered the upcycling of Rolex watches and the importance of slogans functioning as source identifiers a requirement for trade mark registration.

Sharing the stage with him this year are Mr Gabriel Ong (Principal Legal Counsel (Hearings & Mediation Department), IPOS), Professor David Llewelyn (Managing Director, David Llewelyn & Co LLC), and Justice James Mellor (Judge of the High Court of England & Wales) via Zoom. We also had the pleasure of Justice Dedar Singh Gill (High Court Judge of the Singapore Supreme Court) joining us, together with moderator Mr Melvin Pang (Director of Amica Law).

All Photos by Vincent Nghai

Prof David Tan discussing the decision of Rolex v Beckertime

A packed room at the Conrad Centennial Hotel in the final Developments in IP session

Mr Gabriel Ong kicks off the session with updates from IPOS

Prof David Llewelyn offers his views on the Singapore decisions

Justice Dedar Singh Gill shares his observations in a light-hearted moment

The audience in rapt attention at the Q&A session

Mr Paul McClelland (Senior Legal Counsel, IPOS International) and Mr Tan Kong Hwee (CEO-Designate, IPOS)

Speakers and panellists – L to R: Justice James Mellor, Gabriel Ong, Prof David Llewelyn, Justice Dedar Singh Gill, Prof David Tan and Melvin Pang