Singapore Law Governs Online Business Practices Regarding Intellectual Property

Online marketplaces and social media platforms frequently deal with issues such as counterfeiting, brand impersonation, and the misuse of intellectual property. Brand owners must take proactive steps to protect their IP on platforms with considerable reach. In Singapore, the Trade Marks Act 1998 outlines the principles governing groundless threats of trademark infringement.

The law specifies that a threat can be implied, implicit, or veiled, and the inquiry into whether it constitutes a threat is highly fact-sensitive. If a party threatens another with infringement proceedings, an aggrieved party may seek relief, including a declaration that the threats are unjustifiable, an injunction, or damages for sustained losses.