Amendments Made to the Singapore Arbitration Act and International Arbitration Act to Clarify the Arbitrability of IP Disputes in Singapore

摘要

The Singapore Arbitration Act and International Arbitration Act have been amended to clarify that disputes in relation to IP rights are capable of being settled by arbitration in Singapore, and that an arbitral award concerning IP rights shall not be considered contrary to public policy. Notably, IPR disputes were arbitrable in Singapore even before the amendments came into effect. Therefore, the amendments do not change the position in Singapore, but are by way of clarification only. Nevertheless, given the increasing importance of IP in commercial contracts, the amendments are important for solidifying Singapore's position as an arbitration hub in Asia.