Firm overview
Drew & Napier, founded in 1889, is the largest leading Intellectual Property (IP) practice in Singapore. We also have an established presence in Southeast Asia through our Drewmarks IP filing offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Outside of these countries and through our close ties with affiliated firms, we tap on our global network to offer innovative and original solutions for our clients.
Our award-winning Singapore practice is one of the top filers for patents, trademarks, and designs in the country, among the largest handled by any firm here. Our extensive experience is bolstered by a team of over 100, consisting of numerous highly skilled professionals of not only legal, but also diverse technical backgrounds. Many of our patent professionals hold PhDs, Master’s or postgraduate certifications in their specialisations, which include biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, healthcare & life sciences, and telecommunications.
Our promise of quality has earned favourable standing amongst clients and we are often instructed to handle high-value, large-scale, complex matters that involve multiple parties and jurisdictions. Many of our clients in our 130-year history have entrusted their IP work to us for many decades. Our valued clients instruct us to act in a range of contentious and non-contentious IP work, comprising IP litigation, patents, designs, trade marks and servicemarks, copyrights, licensing, distributorship, franchising and confidentiality agreements, IP monetisation, and advice on Life Sciences and Medicines Act regulations.
Practice Areas
Trade Marks, Patents, and Designs
In Singapore and other regional offices, we secure IP registrations directly. In other countries, we use our global network of trusted associates. We also negotiate and prepare licenses, distributorship, franchising and confidentiality agreements covering the full spectrum of IP, for example:
- Conducting searches for trade marks, patents or designs in various jurisdictions
- Advising whether a mark can be registered or a new innovation or design can be patented or protected
- Advising how you can best leverage your patents, trade marks, and designs
- Advising possible alternatives where a mark, patent or design cannot be registered
- Branding and IP strategy
- Drafting, filing, and prosecuting trade mark, patent, and design applications through to registration
Intellectual Property Litigation
Drew & Napier is second to none when acting for litigious matters. We have been singled out by clients and prominent trade publications for our in-depth experience in contentious IP matters as our lawyers are regularly instructed in high profile matters. We exceed clients’ expectations where the matters are especially demanding, as our lawyers are expected to quickly understand the technicalities of each industry and the clients’ business objectives.
Our litigation team handles all aspects of IP litigation, for example:
- Applying and executing warrants for trade mark and copyright infringement offences;
- Prosecuting and defending criminal actions for infringement of trade marks and copyright;
- Civil proceedings for infringement of trade mark, copyright, patents and designs, confidential information, including applications for injunctions and Anton Pillar Orders;
- Passing off actions;
- Opposition proceedings;
- Trade mark invalidation and revocation proceedings;
- Actions for breach of distribution, licensing and franchise agreements;
- Claims for unlawful interference with contractual relations; and
- Claims for wrongful use of confidential information.
Intellectual Property valuation and transactions
We recognise the increasing importance of IP as a company’s asset for potential investment and leveraging business transactions. We provide strategic advice for our clients on how to best extract value from their IP. Our scope of work includes:
- Analysing, reviewing, and researching your portfolio
- Assessing licensing and monetising options
- Drafting and advising on IP transaction documents
- Valuing all assets, encompassing copyrights, IP licence agreements, know-how, patents, trade marks, trade secrets etc.
As a full service law firm, we work to our strengths by drawing from the wealth of expertise of our colleagues from the other areas of specialisation, in order to present a robust IP strategy that meets our clients’ business needs.
Last updated 23rd July 2019
