As ASEAN moves closer towards the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), this public conference is convened as part of a research project that will bring together leading scholars and experts in IP Law and Private International Law to consider the need and potential benefits of making the IP systems more interoperable in ASEAN and beyond. Being mindful of the need to preserve diversity in ASEAN and give due recognition to the differing levels of development of its member states, we are of the view that substantive harmonization of IP systems should not form part of the research agenda at this point in time. Nonetheless, exploring the commonalities and differences between the systems will provide us with an informed basis as we set out on the course towards enhanced coordination. The research agenda will form part of a forthcoming book project which will be jointly edited by Elizabeth Siew-Kuan Ng and Graeme Austin.

Some of the research topics that will be discussed at this event include:

• IP Interoperability In ASEAN & Beyond: A Proposal
• Cooperation Through Conflicts: Private International Law Approaches To Trans-Border International Intellectual Property Disputes
• Free Trade Online: Exhaustion Of Rights In Digital Goods
• ASEAN Model For IP Protection Of Cultural Heritage: Lesson Learned From The Indonesian Experience
• ASEAN Model For Trademark Protection: Myanmar’s Current Experience And Future Directions
• Trademark & Design Systems In ASEAN: Regional Integration And Interoperability With Other IP National And Supranational Systems
• OHIM Trademark Convergence Programme: An ASEAN Context
• Developing A Common Patent System – Lessons Learned from The European Experiences

The ASEAN IP Conference will be held on 25 August 2015 at Marina Bay Sands.