March 2026, trade mark decision

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Puma fails to block registration of Tiger Woods-backed Sun Day Red trademark in Singapore; read more here https://www.singaporelawwatch.sg/Headlines/puma-fails-to-block-registration-of-tiger-woods-backed-sun-day-red-trademark-in-singapore

Emily Brontë & Wuthering Heights

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While Emily Brontë was largely unknown during her lifetime, the copyright to her work became significant after her death in 1848. Intellectual property in the context of Emily Brontë spans from the 19th-century protection of her work under a pseudonym to the high-value modern auctions of her manuscripts and the ongoing commercialization of Wuthering Heights.
Emily published her poetry and novels using pseudonyms (Ellis Bell) to navigate a publishing world prejudiced against women and in avoidance of gender-based prejudice. While this shielded her privacy, modern discussions suggest this was an important strategy for securing intellectual property rights without immediate scrutiny. Today, Wuthering Heights exists as public domain intellectual property, yet it remains a “hot property” for film adaptations including the latest version starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordie, just in time for Valentine’s Day! It’s a pretty miserable tale though………

Big Case of 2025: East Coast Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd v Family Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd [2025] 1 SLR 914

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In East Coast Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd v Family Podiatry Centre Pte Ltd [2025] 1 SLR 914, the High Court rejected trademark infringement claims against a competitor’s use of “east coast podiatry” as Google advertisement keywords. On appeal, the Court of Appeal upheld the dismissal on different grounds and rejected the application of European precedent Google France in Singapore’s context.

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IPOS developments for 2026 in time to giddy up for the Year of the Horse

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New Nice Classification version: WIPO’s next edition is rolling out in 2026. Singapore aligns its practice with Nice; classification wording which can impact how you describe goods/services for smooth examination. The 13th Edition will apply to all new trade mark filings and processing from 1 January 2026.

There will be no changes to the classification of existing applications/registrations and their scope of protection before the effective date. Brand owners should review their portfolios to assess if their existing coverage will adequately protect their interests and consider filing new applications and adjusting watching strategies, if appropriate.

In the spirit of the little red dot for Singapore’s 60th birthday

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As Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday as a nation, hslegal LLP is proud to have worked with creatives on their IP protection for the SG60 giant red balls across the country. We are so proud to work with the designers and be part of something special for National Day! Projects like these keeps us motivated and we are proud to work with local businesses and creatives in this little red dot we call home! Read More