Knowledge Arena Programme

Fireside Chat: How Can Frontline Business Tenants in Retail, F&B & Services Come Together to Build Vibrancy and Resilience for Our Sector in Times of Uncertainty?

IN COLLABORATION WITH SGTUFF

The retail, F&B, and services sector has faced unprecedented challenges, from economic fluctuations to changing consumer behaviors. Amidst this uncertainty, frontline business tenants are under increasing pressure. This fireside chat brings together Elson Lee, Founder of Yong Kang TCM Clinic, and Willie Goh, Director of Gymkraft, to share insights on navigating these challenges.

Key Discussion Points:

• Fair Tenancy Practices: Strategies for promoting equitable landlord-tenant relationships and sustainable business models.

• Innovative Rental Structures: Exploring flexible and adaptive rental solutions to support tenants in uncertain times.

• Collaboration and Community Building: How tenants can work together to enhance sector vibrancy and resilience.

Takeaways:

• Practical strategies for tenants to build resilience and adapt to changing market conditions.

• Insights into successful partnerships and collaborations within the sector.

• Innovative approaches to rental structures and tenancy practices that support sustainable growth.

Panellists:

Elson Lee, Founder, Yong Kang TCM Clinic
Willie Goh, Director, Gymkraft

1300 - 1345

Workshop - Licensing 101: Beginner's guide to licensing

IN COLLABORATION WITH INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMMERCIALISATION COUNCIL SINGAPORE

New to licensing? This comprehensive workshop is designed to provide a foundational understanding of licensing, covering the essential concepts, terminology, and best practices. Join Rizwi Wun, Partner at RHTLaw Asia LLP, as he guides you through the basics of licensing.

What You'll Learn:

• Types of licenses: character, brand, trademark, and copyright - Understand the different types of licenses and how they apply to your business.

• Licensing agreements: understanding the key terms and conditions 

• Learn how to navigate complex licensing agreements and negotiate favorable terms.

• Royalty rates: how to negotiate and manage royalties - Discover how to determine fair royalty rates and manage royalty payments effectively.

Workshop Benefits:

•  Gain a solid understanding of the licensing process and terminology

•  Learn how to identify opportunities for licensing and mitigate potential risks

• Develop the skills to negotiate and manage licensing agreements with confidence

• Understand how to leverage licensing to drive business growth and revenue

By attending this workshop, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the world of licensing with confidence and make informed decisions that drive business success.

Trainer:

Rizwi Wun, Partner RHTLaw Asia LLP

1400 - 1500

Panel Discussion: Collaborative Franchising and Licensing Models

IN COLLABORATION WITH FT CONSULTING GROUP

Synopsis:
In today's fast-paced business landscape, collaborative franchising and licensing models are revolutionizing the way companies expand their reach and build partnerships. This session will explore innovative models for collaborative franchising and licensing, such as joint ventures, co-branding, and strategic partnerships.

Key Discussion Points:

• Joint Ventures: How joint ventures can facilitate market entry, share risk, and leverage local expertise.

• Co-branding: The benefits and challenges of co-branding, including brand dilution and synergy.

• Strategic Partnerships: How strategic partnerships can drive growth, improve efficiency, and enhance competitiveness.

Takeaways:

• Insights into successful collaborative models: Learn from case studies and expert experiences.

• Best practices for partnership development: Understand how to structure and manage successful partnerships.

• Opportunities for growth: Identify potential opportunities for collaborative franchising and licensing in your business.

Panel Discussion: Unlocking Global Potential: Licensing Strategies for Market Expansion 
 
In today's interconnected world, businesses are constantly seeking new ways to expand their reach and tap into emerging markets. Licensing has emerged as a powerful strategy for companies to leverage their brand assets, intellectual property, and expertise to drive growth. This panel discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges of licensing in market expansion.

Key Discussion Points:

• Using licensing for market expansion

• Identifying brand assets to license

• Structuring licensing agreements

• Best practices for negotiating and managing licensing deals

Takeaways:

• Strategies for successful licensing and market expansion

• Insights into effective agreement structuring and relationship management

• Practical advice for businesses looking to leverage licensing for growth.

Moderator:

Anjan Baxi, Director Licensing - SEA & India, Paramount

Panellists:

Alex Baillie, VP & GM, Licensing & Retail, South APAC, The Walt Disney Company
Bryan Tan, Senior Business Advisor, COL Group
Edmund Low, General Manager, Licensing Division, Avex Southeast Asia
Paul Lim, Head of Licensing and Business Strategy, BM Smile

Panel Discussion: Driving Growth through IP Mediation: How Mediation Supports Brand Expansion, Protection and Innovation

IN COLLABORATION WITH WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION

In today’s fast-evolving franchise and licensing landscape, businesses are increasingly reliant on IP to grow, differentiate and protect their brands across markets. However, as cross-border operations expand and commercial relationships grow more complex, so too does the potential for IP-related disputes—whether over trademarks, copyright, know-how, licensing terms or franchise agreements.

This panel explores how mediation—as a time- and cost-efficient alternative to litigation or arbitration—can be a strategic tool to support brand growth and resilience. Bringing together perspectives from mediators and legal counsel, the session will examine how mediation facilitates early resolution of disputes, preserves commercial relationships, and enables parties to craft business-oriented outcomes that litigation cannot provide.The session will also shed light on the value of deal-mediation, where mediation is used to facilitate contractual negotiations before a dispute has arisen.

The session will also spotlight the WIPO-ASEAN Mediation Programme (AMP+) which is a funding programme for mediations offered by WIPO with support from IPOS. Real-world examples of cases resolved under AMP+ will illustrate how licensing disputes have been successfully resolved, enabling continued collaboration and market expansion.

Moderator:

Caleb Goh, Legal Officer; Representative, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Singapore

Panellists:

Dixon Soh, Director, CHP Law LLC
Moi Sok Ling, Managing Director, MOI Law Corporation
Viviene Kaur Sandhu, Co-Managing Partner, Clifford Law LLP

Panel Discussion: Unlocking Business Potential through Brand Licensing – A Licensee’s Perspective

IN COLLABORATION WITH LICENSING EXECUTIVES SOCIETY (SINGAPORE)

In today's competitive business environment, leveraging an established brand can significantly enhance your business's reach and reputation. Join our expert panel as they explore the benefits and challenges of brand licensing from the perspective of licensees.

Key Discussion Points:

• Benefits and challenges of brand licensing

• IP licensing agreements and managing collaborations

• Harnessing the power of global brands for business growth

• Potential risks and challenges, including legal considerations, brand alignment, and partnership management

Takeaways:

• Key considerations for integrating brand licensing into your business strategy

• Understanding the potential pitfalls and risks associated with brand licensing

• Best practices for managing partnerships and IP licensing agreements

• Strategies for leveraging brand licensing to drive business growth and enhance brand visibility

Moderator:

Catherine Lee, Vice-President, Licensing Executives Society (Singapore) & Senior Partner, Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP

Panellists:

Welly Tantono, Group General Counsel, SecretLab
Adrian Kwong, Director, Consigclear LLC