Singapore becomes first to ratify eponymous IP treaty

Singapore: first to ratify.

The treaty bears the country’s name in recognition of it having hosted the final round of negotiations that led to its adoption on 27 March 27 2006. This capped international efforts to update the 1994 Trademark Law Treaty to bring it in line with technological developments of the past decade.

The new treaty will enter into force once 10 countries or qualifying intergovernmental organisations have ratified it. While Singapore is the first to ratify, over 50 countries have already signed the treaty.

The Singapore Treaty deals mainly with procedural aspects of trademark registration and licensing, introducing greater flexibility and efficiency into trademark registration services. By enabling trademark authorities to take advantage of modern communications technologies and further simplifying and standardising procedures, the treaty promises to reduce transaction costs for brand owners.

The treaty also recognises the specific needs of developing countries and includes a commitment by industrialised countries to provide technical assistance and other support.

In addition, it explicitly recognises that trademarks are no longer limited to two-dimensional labels, covering new types of marks such as holograms, and non-visible signs, such as sound or taste marks. Although such marks are at present relatively uncommon, they are likely to become increasingly popular.