Posted January 31st, 2012 by admin
31 January 2012 – Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) organized a Project Briefing event for the MatchiT request #1201005. The event was divided into two sessions due to overwhelming registration from vendors. More than fifty vendors have turned up for the briefing sessions.
MatchiT is an initiative by SiTF that aims to create business opportunities for its members, as well as promote IT adoption among SMEs islandwide.
The briefing sessions were hosted by the consultant of the requesting company – Mrs. Teo, who shared about the firm’ current IT requirements and the project timeline. During the Q&A sessions, vendors had a chance to clarify their queries about the project before submitting their proposals to the requestor.
These sessions were also a good platform for non-members to understand more about SiTF and the benefits of becoming an SiTF member.
To view event photo, please visit SiTF’s Facebook fan page – SITFSOCIAL.
Posted January 16th, 2012 by admin
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) disputes are multi-faceted and can have adverse effects on technology development, investment and consumer interests. Therefore it is important that they be managed and resolved in a cost- and time-efficient manner. A considered choice on dispute resolution can benefit parties involved in contractual, non-contractual or standards-related ICT disputes.
WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
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The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center) is part of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system. It is a neutral, independent, international and non-profit dispute resolution provider that offers alternative dispute resolution procedures (ADR) to court litigation, such as mediation and arbitration to enable parties to efficiently settle their disputes. The WIPO Center is particularly recognized for the administration of international technology, IP and entertainment disputes involving private parties.
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The WIPO Center has offices in Geneva, Switzerland and, since 2010, at Maxwell Chambers in Singapore. The WIPO Center’s Office in Singapore signifies WIPO’s commitment to the promotion of ADR services in IP in the Asia Pacific region. In addition to offering procedural dispute resolution guidance in choosing or adjusting dispute resolution clauses and administering procedures under WIPO Rules, the WIPO Center’s Office in Singapore organizes sessions and training on ADR of IP related disputes.
Referral to WIPO dispute resolution procedures is consensual and to facilitate party agreement, the WIPO Center provides recommended contract clauses (for the submission of future disputes under a particular contract) and submission agreements (for existing disputes).
ICT Disputes
The WIPO ADR services are well suited for ICT disputes. The WIPO Rules are flexible and can also be applied in disputes that are not limited to IP.
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About one third of the mediation and arbitration cases administered by the WIPO Center are in the area of ICT. Disputes relate to ICT agreements, such as software licenses, outsourcing agreements, patent licenses regarding ICT and telecommunications related agreements, as well as cases arising out of agreements in settlement of prior court litigation. The wide range of potential users internationally includes software developers, ICT companies, ICT users, service providers, hardware manufacturers, outsourcers, programmers, telecommunication providers and telecommunication regulators.
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SiTF has established a relationship with the WIPO Center. This relationship helps to raise awareness of ADR options to court litigation available to ICT vendors, their partners and customers. SiTF members enjoy special rates when using the WIPO Center dispute resolution services.
Mediation and arbitration can be particularly advantageous to resolve ICT disputes, especially when the dispute involves parties from different jurisdictions and because the issues are often complex and require specialized knowledge and expertise. We have set up below two examples of cases that explain the benefits of WIPO ADR.
WIPO Case Examples Related to ICT Disputes
- A WIPO Mediation of a Telecom Patent License Dispute
A European telecom company licensed US, European and Asian patents relating to telecommunication technology to a US company involved in the development of wireless products. The license agreement contained a clause according to which any dispute arising out of or in connection with the agreement should be submitted to WIPO mediation, followed in the absence of settlement by WIPO arbitration.
Four years after concluding their agreement, the parties disagreed on the scope of the applications for which the licensee could use the licensed technology and, as a result, the licensor alleged that the licensee had violated its patents by using the licensed technologies beyond the scope of the license.
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The European telecom company initiated a WIPO mediation. The Center suggested to the parties potential mediators with specific expertise in patents and telecommunication technology. With the mediator’s assistance, the parties were able to settle their dispute within five months of the commencement of the mediation.
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- A WIPO Expedited Arbitration Relating to a Banking Software Dispute
A US company providing data processing software and services and an Asian bank concluded an agreement regarding the provision of account processing services. The parties agreed that the US company was to be the exclusive service provider for certain of the bank’s affiliates in North America and Europe. The agreement stated that any dispute arising out of or in connection with the agreement would be resolved under the WIPO Expedited Arbitration Rules and that the sole arbitrator will be selected from a panel of persons having experience of information technology.
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Four years after the conclusion of their agreement, the US company alleged that the bank had violated the agreement by using processing services offered by third parties in the countries covered by the agreement. When the parties failed to settle the dispute, the US service provider commenced WIPO expedited arbitration proceedings claiming infringement of the agreement and substantial consequential damages.
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The parties agreed upon a sole arbitrator who held a two-day hearing in New York City. Three months after the request for expedited arbitration, the arbitrator rendered a final award finding partial infringement of the agreement and granting damages to the US service provider.
Conclusion
Parties involved in ICT transactions must find the right means to resolve their disputes in a time- and cost-effective manner. Because the issues are frequently complex and require specialized expertise, if the parties cannot resolve their disputes through direct negotiations, ADR can be particularly advantageous to resolve ICT disputes, especially when the dispute involves parties from different jurisdictions. The WIPO Center’s experience demonstrates that mediation and arbitration leave ample space for the parties, with the help of the neutral(s) selected, to settle their case and to obtain remedies tailored to the special circumstances of their relationship.
For more information on the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, please click here.
To download special WIPO Mediation / (Expedited) Arbitration rates for SiTF Members, please click here.
Contact Details
Mr. Leandro Toscano
WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Office in Singapore
Maxwell Chambers
32 Maxwell Road #02-02
Singapore 069115
T +65 6225 2129
F +65 6225 3568
E arbiter.mail@wipo.int
W www.wipo.int/amc
Posted January 13th, 2012 by admin
Finally, the long awaited Chinese New Year themed, Meet-The-Member session concluded with big bangs!
No. Not fire-crackers but the enthusiasm, member discourse and collision of ideas, exchanges of banter and last but not least, simple and good company of SITF members, partners, friends and industry players.
Mr Craig John Gledhill, SiTF Membership's Chairman, also Vice President, APJ of Cisco Consumer Products Pte Ltd
The show started off with Craig Gledhill, Councilor and Membership Chairman of SITF, giving a welcome speech to the audience.
MTM started back around 2007 as ‘Lim Ko Pi’ (aka as drink coffee) session with an objective to bring members and industry players together to network. In the course of doing so, ’Lim Ko Pi’ session evolved into what MTM is today, an activity-based platform for active interaction.
An exhibition component added to the vibrancy of the show, with our members show-casing their wares to the audience from a diverse background and ICT verticals.
On the seminar front, the programs during the event aim to share, in condense form, the various initiatives and schemes our members could tap into from our speakers.
Ms Lim Mei Mei, General Manager, Ngee Ann-Adelaide Education Centre Pte Ltd
Mr Aylwin Tan, Chief Customer Solutions Officer, Ascendas
Ms Peggy Lim, Assistant Director, Creative & Professional Services Division, WDA
From Left: Craig, Mei Mei, Peggy, Aylwin and Gary
These initiatives provide a multi-faceted perspectives, in how members could manage in a volatile business environment, such as:
- How you could tap onto SITF for business reach and growth (eg; MatchIT, APICTS)
- How you could tap onto SITF for competency development (eg; SITF Academy)
- How you could tap onto SITF to minimise your risks in internationalisation efforts (eg; ISC)
With the government and various economists declaring a potential economic slowdown in 2012, SITF will continue to go after strategic opportunities for you.
Finally, connect with SITF to be kept in the loop on the development through these social media channels
You could also subscribe to SITF newsletter, http://www.sitf.org.sg/index.php?option=com_registration&task=register
In the meantime, you have a good holiday and Happy Dragon Chinese New Year.
Please click here to view more photographs from SiTF’s Fan page – sitfsocial.
Posted January 11th, 2012 by admin
Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) had signed a MOU with Korea Information Security Industry Association (KISIA) on 11 January 2012. The MOU outline the intentions of:
- Exchange of visits of members of both organisations and encouraging members to participate in mutually beneficial activities and to attend trade fairs and exhibitions;
- Fostering of business relationships between and among members companies;
- Development of a mutually beneficial framework for gathering and reporting on key statistical indicators in their respective industries;
- Supporting the adoption and implementation of international standards where relevant to IT security products or services.
- Promoting collaboration with other information security associations in Asian country
Mr. Deuk Choon Lee, Chairman of KISIA, exchanging namecard with Mr. Goh Hock beng, Honorary Secretary of SGC
Dr. Ngair Teow Hin, Chairman of Security & Governance Chapter (SGC), represented SiTF in the signing ceremony with Chairman of KISIA Mr. Deuk Choon Lee.
In an hour long Signing Ceremony, Mr. Deuk Choon Lee highlighted his intention to narrow the knowledge gap in the area of information security and promote information security in the ASIAN countries.
Dr. Ngair also shared that, through the MOU with KISIA, he hope to open up new overseas market for Singapore Companies and he was also keen to explore information security knowledge exchange with KISIA and other security associations which KISIA are currently working with.
Dr. Ngair Teow Hin, Chairman of SGC, accompanied by Mr. Martin Khoo, Deputy Director of IDA and Mr. Goh Hock Beng
Group Photo after the Signing Ceremony
The Signing Ceremony concluded with both associations exchanging gifts as a form of goodwill.
Gift exchange between SiTF & KISIA
Posted January 10th, 2012 by admin
10 January 2012 – Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) collaborated with infocomm Development Agency (iDA) to organize the Seminar on iSPRINT and Productivity and Innovation Credit for IT Vendors. The event took place at Mapletree Business City Auditorium. More than 60 participants have turned out for the seminar.
The first topic of the event was on iSPRINT funding scheme, which was presented by Mr. Ling Kerk Sheen from iDA. He shared with the audience about the different categories of funding and the application process. Basically, different funding schemes will be applied to SMEs depending on the impact of the IT solutions they are adopting.
If the solution is for business improvement, SMEs will be subsidized up to 50% of the adoption cost, with the cap of $1,500 for Pre-qualified Packaged Solutions, and $10,000 for All Customized Solution. SMEs can submit their proposal on the iDA website.
For Integrated Customized Solutions that have impact on SMEs’ business transformation process, the -funding will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
During the second half of the seminar, Mr. Toh Tze Hern from Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) presented about the Productivity and Innovation Credit scheme (PIC), which aims to encourage productivity and innovation among SMEs by providing them with huge tax savings from investing on six major activities:
- Purchase or lease of PIC automation equipment
- Training of employees
- Research and development
- Registration of intellectual property rights
- Acquisition of intellectual property rights
- Approved design project
SMEs who are eligible for the PIC scheme can claim for a tax deduction of up to 400% subject to the expenditure cap or elect for a cash payout of up to 30% of the expenditure (subject to the cap).
Further details on the PIC scheme and the application process can be found on the IRAS website.
The event ended successfully with a Q&A session that helped to clarified many queries from the audience.
To download the presentation slides, please follow this link.
To view event photo, please visit SiTF’s Facebook fan page – SITFSOCIAL.
Posted December 8th, 2011 by admin
7 December 2011 – Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) is privilege to have worked with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center again on the Legally IT Series Talk.
Hosted by WIPO, the Legally IT Series Talk was held at Maxwell Chambers. 30 people, combination of lawyers and industry personnel, who are interested in knowing more about how mediation works for IT Disputes, attended the event.
Ms Shirley Wong, First Vice Chairman of SiTF (Also Managing Director of BT Frontline) addressed the welcome speech at the Legally IT Series Talk
For this talk, WIPO has invited Mr Peter Moody, a partner in BrookStreet des Roches (UK) LLP and Mr David Perkins, a partner in Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP’s intellectual property practice in London. Both Mr Moody and Mr Perkins have extensive experiences in IT related Arbitration and Mediation.
Mr Peter Moody, a partner in BrookStreet des Roches (UK) LLP
Mr Moody has shared the principal stages in mediation preparation as follow:
- Assessing Benefits
- Persuading the Other Party to Mediate
- Reference to Mediation
- Selecting a Mediator
- Mediation Agreements and Groundwork
- Mediation Plan
- Working with Mediator
- Selecting the Right Team
- The Party Statement
- Preparation for the Meeting
To read more on this, you may click here to download Mr Moody’s slides.
Mr David Perkins, a partner in Arnold & Porter (UK) LLP’s intellectual property practice in London
For Mr Perkins, he had shared more on the cases he had handled in trademark litigation. He highlighted going for court litigation, sometime may resulted in long hearing days and high lawyer engagement fees. He suggested for companies to go for arbitration and mediation first as the results yield is beneficial for both parties. Please click here to download the slides by Mr Perkins.
Mr Erik Wilbers, Director of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
Mr Erik Wilbers, Director of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, had chaired this talk. He had also shared with the audience on what WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center can offer, the options available besides court litigation, and the WIPO international survey on dispute resolution in technology transactions. You may read more from Mr Wilbers’s presentation slides by clicking here.
To view event photo, please visit SiTF’s facebook fan page – SITFSOCIAL.
Tags: Shirley Wong, SiTF, SiTF Academy, WIPO
Posted December 2nd, 2011 by admin
The second collaboration between DMC and BuzzCity, this time, the theme focuses in the journey of entrepreneurs in the ICT industry. And how the government agencies can lend a hand to start-ups.
Anol, Vice-chairman of DMC sharing with the audience about the benefits to be part of the federation.
Invited speakers from successful start-ups sharing about their entrepreneurial journeys and dishing out tips and techniques to questions from the audience in overcoming roadblocks to exit strategy.
Tai Hou from Exploit talks about schemes that start-ups could tap on…from ideas to commercialization.
Darius chats about his business, tenCube since being acquired…
Eddie Chau from Brandtology sharing a lighter moments with the audience and especially the younglings…
The active Q&A session soon followed with the entrepreneurs sharing their trials and tribulations taking the plunge and chasing after their dreams.
Posted November 30th, 2011 by admin
30 November 2011 – Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF), through its Cloud Computing Chapter has collaborated with Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) to establish a Cloud Enablement Centre (CEC) in NYP.
More than 35 people have attended the official opening of the CEC at NYP today.
Mr Albert Tay, Chairman of SiTF Cloud Computing Chapter, giving a speech at the opening ceremony
Mr Albert Tay, Chairman of SiTF Cloud Computing Chapter addressed the crowd and highlighted the aim of this centre are to raise awareness, develop capabilities and foster adoption of cloud computing solutions, especially for the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs); provide an interactive platform for IT vendors to showcase their cloud computing solutions to industry partners and customers.
From left: Mr Lai Poh Hing, Director of School of IT, NYP; Mr Eddie Chau, Chairman of SiTF; and Mr Albert Tay, Chairman of SiTF Cloud Computing Chapter officiate the opening of the Cloud Enablement Centre
CEC was officially opened today by Mr Eddie Chau, Chairman of SiTF, Mr Albert Tay, Chairman of SiTF Cloud Computing Chapter and Mr Lai Poh Hing, Director of School of IT, NYP.
Over 35 people attended the opening ceremony of Cloud Enablement Centre
Located in NYP’s School of Information Technology, the CEC will showcase Cloud Computing solutions from vendors in the following areas: Software-as-a-Service (SAAS), Platform-as-a-Service (PAAS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IAAS). Currently, the following vendors are exhibiting at the centre.
| Company |
Product |
| 1-Net |
1-Net Storage: Digital Media Cloud |
| IBM |
SmartCloud Enterprise |
| Microsoft |
Windows Azure Platform – aZaas Cloud Application Engine |
| NCS |
SaaSConnect |
| Oracle |
Identity Federation |
| Red Hat |
Building Clouds without limits– CloudForms– Openshift |
| Salesforce |
Salesforce.com |
| Tala Communications |
Instacompute (Iaas) – Cloud Computing |
Every 6 months, SiTF and NYP will bring in new vendors to exhibit their products. If companies are interested to exhibit at this centre, please contact Jacqueline Khoo at Jacquie.khoo@sitf.org.sg.
If you are interested to visit the centre, do contact Mr Jayson Chong at jayson_chong@nyp.gov.sg, for an appointment.
To view more photographs, do visit SiTF Fanpage – SITFSOCIAL.
Tags: Cloud computing, Eddie Chau, SiTF
Posted November 28th, 2011 by admin
25 November 2011 – SiTF ICT Idol 2011 has successful held at Titanium @ Esplanade. About 450 industry people have attended this event.
The event was started off with an impactful dance that drives the audience wild!
- Hip Hop Dance
9 Contestants were up for competition for the title of ICT Idol 2011. The crowd were very excited and supportive of their favourite contestants. Some supporters had hung up banners, present bouquet of flowers and purchase garlands for the contestants.
The Champion of ICT Idol 2011 is Lau Shih Hor from Elixir Technology & Sharon Loi from Infocomm Development Authority (IDA).
Champion of ICT Idol 2011: Lau Shih Hor from Elixir Technology & Sharon Loi from Infocomm Development Authority (IDA)
1st Runner Up of ICT Idol 2011: May Tey from StarHub
2nd Runner Up of ICT Idol 2011: THREE OH’s (Siti, Sha’aban and Azmi) from StarHub
- ICT Idol 2011, Congeniality: Teresa Garcia from Ingram Micro
Other contestants include:
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Ina Christian from Cisco system
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Janine Roselle from StarHub
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Sany Supait from ST Electronics
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Alvin Low from ST Electronics (Info-Software Systems)
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IT ROBOT (Liu Wen Chuan & Jimmy Luo) from Lenovo
Leo Qijun, 2010 Champion, also presented a song at ICT Idol 2011
In the event, a secret performance was staged for a special person – Ms Tan Yen Yen. It was an act put together by SiTF Councilors and Secretariat to thank Ms Tan for her contribution to the association. Mr Eddie Chau, Chairman of SiTF, had sang a song specially for her.
- Mr Eddie Chau, Chairman of SiTF (CEO of Brandtology) singing a song
- Mr Eddie Chau with Ms Tan Yen Yen, Immediate Past Chairman of SiTF
To view more photographs, please visit SiTF Fanpage – SITFSOCIAL
Posted November 17th, 2011 by admin
Jojo Flores, Co-Founder of Plug and Play Tech Center, dropped by in town and we were very pleased to be able to host him for a luncheon session with our local startups. Together with our chairman, Eddie Chau, and 1st Vice-chairman, Shirley Wong, they form a group of battle-hardened veterans in the entrepreneurship scene.
A nice audience of 52 friends and family in the entrepreneurship fraternity showed up to support the event and we are really glad to have them with us.
Shirley opening the event
Jojo giving us a few words of wisdom
The event kicked-off with a succession of pitches and Q&A with the panel with a total of 4 teams pitching to convince the panel that deserve to be allowed to have lunch later! Intraix started the ball rolling explaining why their low-cost home energy management system will help you contribute to protecting the environment. Znapshop then presented how they plan to disrupt shopping through their solution in mobile commerce.
Intraix presented to a packed audience
Znapshop giving their pitch
Next up Guyi from LobangClub demoed their app to the panel. And Burpple then closed the session nicely by pitching their social food diary app complete with pictures of sumptuous local delights, reminding us how hungry we all were. The panel though were more interested in questioning the presenters, probing their weaknesses and turning their business model inside out. Hopefully, our participants got to learn alot from our experienced panel.
LobangClub demoing to the panel
Burpple tantalizing our tastebuds
Our hungry audience then migrated to the breakout area for lunch and some of them were hijacking our guests, preventing them from reaching the food, while they bombard our guests with questions and pitching their own ideas to gather feedback. The Burpple guys were avid users of their own product and we caught them capturing the lunch into their food diary app.
Participants blockading the panel from reaching the food!
Participants sharing ideas over lunch
We hope you guys had fun at the event and for those who were unable to us this time round, do join us for our future events!
More photos on the event are available at our facebook page:Check out the photos!
Do help support us by liking us on facebook!
Tags: SMP, Startups
