Course Code: IPM501
Synopsis
IPM501 Foundation IP Law investigates how intellectual property (IP) rights have been established to protect creators and inventors, and businesses that market their innovations. This protection can come in the form of patents, industrial designs, trade marks and copyright. The course examines IP legislations and regulations in Singapore to recognise and identify the various aspects of IP related to intellectual assets. Students will learn to analyse how IP laws drive business strategies, evaluate the potential courses of action and recognise the resulting business implications
Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY REGULAR SEMESTER
Topics
- Introduction to IP Law
- Copyright Law
- Application and Impact of Copyright Law
- Trade Mark Law
- Application and Impact of Trade Mark Law
- Patent Law
- Application and Impact of Patent Law
- Registered Design Law
- Application and Impact of Registered Design Law
- Courses of Action and Resulting Business Implications
- Infringement
- Conclusion to Foundation IP Law
Learning Outcome
- Differentiate IP legislations and regulations in Singapore
- Appraise the business application of IP
- Analyse the qualifying criteria for IP
- Evaluate the subject matter that cannot be protected by IP
- Assess the different considerations related to IP transactions
- Distinguish potential infringement activities
- Propose defences against allegations of infringement
- Distinguish the remedies awarded if infringement is proven.
- Appraise the relevant aspects of IP law in Singapore which are applicable to intellectual assets in collaboration with relevant stakeholders
- Analyse how IP law can drive IP strategies and objectives
- Recommend potential courses of action to identify resulting business implications
Date & Time
| Day | Date | Week | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6 Jan 2026 | 0 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Tuesday | 13 Jan 2026 | 1 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Tuesday | 20 Jan 2026 | 2 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Tuesday | 27 Jan 2026 | 3 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Tuesday | 3 Feb 2026 | 4 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Tuesday | 10 Feb 2026 | 5 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for a wide spectrum of professionals as well as individuals embarking on a career switch into the intellectual property (IP) and related sectors. It serves as a gateway for those who need an entry point into the world of IP.
Relevance of Course to employment/upskilling/reskilling
This course equips learners with competencies in IP protection and strategy – key pillars of the SSG Skills Framework for Intellectual Property (IP SFw) – facilitating valuable upskilling by transforming IP legal concepts into practical business assets, enabling learners to safeguard innovation and manage intangible risks to enhance their employability in Singapore’s “IP Hub” ecosystem.
Requirements
A laptop is required for the coursework and typed-written examination.
Schedule
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | General Theories and Main Categories of IP |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Understanding Copyright Law |
| Session 2 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Understanding Copyright Law |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Applying Copyright Law |
| Session 3 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Understanding Trade Mark Law |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Understanding Trade Mark Law |
| Session 4 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Applying Trade Mark Law |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Applying Trade Mark Law |
| Session 5 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Understanding Patent Law |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Applying Patent Law |
| Session 6 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Group Presentation |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Registered Designs |
Assessments
The overall course grade is determined by
- Pre-Class Quiz – 10%
- Group Assignment – 45%
- Participation – 5%
- Typed-Written Examination – 40%
Trainer info
Soh Kar Liang is a graduate of the National University of Singapore. He practices intellectual property and information technology law. He has represented, guided and supported key client accounts from diverse fields ranging from high-tech microprocessors to consumer food and beverage industries in both contentious and non-contentious matters along the IP value chain.
As the first Singaporean appointed as a domain name panellist by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Kar Liang regularly adjudicates on domain name disputes under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy. He is also a domain name panellist of the Regional Arbitration Centre of Kuala Lumpur and a principal mediator of the Singapore Mediation Centre.
Kar Liang participates actively in leadership positions in various local and foreign professional and business organisations, having served as President of the ASEAN Intellectual Property Association, President of the Singapore Group of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association, Chair of the Legislation and Regulation Committee of the International Trademark Association, Chair of the Patent Subcommittee of the Law Society of Singapore and honorary advisor of the Chinatown Business Association. Kar Liang also holds non-executive directorships in a number of companies. He contributes regularly to professional publications on intellectual property and information technology subjects, including serving in editorial capacities (eg, SAL Practitioner, an online journal of the Singapore Academy of Law) and is frequently invited to speak on topics in these fields both locally and regionally at conferences, seminars, workshops and expert panels.
As the first Singaporean appointed as a domain name panellist by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Kar Liang regularly adjudicates on domain name disputes under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy. He is also a domain name panellist of the Regional Arbitration Centre of Kuala Lumpur and a principal mediator of the Singapore Mediation Centre.
Kar Liang participates actively in leadership positions in various local and foreign professional and business organisations, having served as President of the ASEAN Intellectual Property Association, President of the Singapore Group of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association, Chair of the Legislation and Regulation Committee of the International Trademark Association, Chair of the Patent Subcommittee of the Law Society of Singapore and honorary advisor of the Chinatown Business Association. Kar Liang also holds non-executive directorships in a number of companies. He contributes regularly to professional publications on intellectual property and information technology subjects, including serving in editorial capacities (eg, SAL Practitioner, an online journal of the Singapore Academy of Law) and is frequently invited to speak on topics in these fields both locally and regionally at conferences, seminars, workshops and expert panels.
Course Completion requirements
- Attendance: Participants must achieve at least 75% attendance.
- Assessment: Participants must sit and pass all prescribed assessments and submit all course work stipulated in the section Assessments.
- Evaluation: Participants are required to complete course evaluations conducted by SUSS and SSG at the end of the training.
- Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice
Students who achieve at least 75% attendance and meet the course completion requirements will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. For those who do not meet the course requirements, a Certificate of Participation will be issued instead.
Course Fees, payment and refund policy
| International Participants | Singapore Citizens (below 40yrs), Permanent Residents | Singapore Citizens (40yrs and above) SkillsFuture Mid - Career Enhanced Subsidy1 | Enhanced Training Support for SMEs2 (Singaporean and PRs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Fees (A) | $3.600.00 | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 |
| SSG Grant (70%) (B) | 0% | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| SSG Grant (C) | 0% | $2,100.00 | $2,100.00 | $2,100.00 |
| Nett Course fees (A) - (C) = (D) | $3,600.00 | $900.00 | $900.00 | $900.00 |
| 9% GST on Nett course fees (E) | $324.00 | $81.00 | $81.00 | $81.00 |
| SSG Enhanced Funding Rate (F) | 0% | 0% | 20% | 20% |
| SSG Enhanced Grant (G) | - | - | $600.00 | $600.00 |
| Total nett course fees payable including GST (D) + (E) - (G) = (H) | $3,924.00 | $981.00 | $381.00 | $381.00 |
1 Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy: Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
2 Enhanced Training Support for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singapore citizens and PRs) aged 21 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
For the various payment mode, please refer here.
For the refund policy, please refer here.
A written request for a refund must be submitted and is subject to approval.
If written notice of withdrawal is given within the cooling off period1 and before the course start date, a full refund of the fees paid less an administrative charge of $110.00 (exclusive of GST) will be given. No refund will be given for withdrawal thereafter.
1 The cooling off period is defined as 7 working days after payment of course fee.
For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:
Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]