IPO attaché in Southeast Asia
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-08)

The below provides guidance and helpful information on the IPO's attaché based in Southeast Asia

Introduction

Our team is located across Singapore and the UK, though we cover the whole of Southeast Asia (SE Asia). In Singapore, we have Desmond Tan, our Intellectual Property Office UK (IPO UK) attaché to Southeast Asia.

How I can help

Our team’s main responsibility is to make it as easy and safe as possible for UK businesses to use and exploit their IP across Southeast Asia. In practice that means supporting UK businesses who are already operating in or thinking about expanding to the region through outreach activities and our online business support.

We can help by:
- working with businesses with IP issues they have and proactively reach out to help them avoid any issues as they start trading in the region.
- working with IP offices across the 11 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as with the ASEAN Working Group on IP Cooperation (AWGIPC) to share best practice and to influence the various IP systems across SE Asia for the benefit of UK businesses long term.
How I can be contacted

Email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) and I will respond to your query within 10 working days.

Advice for UK exporters

Know before you go! IP rules and regimes in Southeast Asia world vary significantly and IP rights granted in one jurisdiction usually only provide cover within that same jurisdiction. Make sure to consider markets not only where you are selling but also manufacturing or are part of your supply chain. It may not be that registering IP in those markets is the right thing for your business but don’t forget to think about them. Consider what IP management strategy works for you. Timelines for registration can vary considerably across the region and depending on IP right so make sure to research in good time.

Attractiveness for UK businesses exporting to Southeast Asia

UK companies see huge potential in Southeast Asia with many using Singapore as their regional headquarters. With the ASEAN member states predicted to form the fourth largest ‘single market’ in the world by 2030 the opportunity is vast. UK trade is already significant and expected to grow. Despite this, businesses tell us IP, in particular IP enforcement, is an issue and it’s where we spend most of our time.

Typical issues to be aware of

Businesses tell us their primary concern is IP infringements and IP enforcement. We have e-commerce code of conduct initiatives in several markets to help tackle online enforcement so get in touch if this is of interest.

There are processes and procedures for IP enforcement for each country in the region and in practice they can be challenging for a variety of factors such as regulatory overlaps, inconsistency in enforcement actions, complex processes, and limited enforcement manpower resources. With the varying enforcement levels, it emphasises the importance of local legal expertise to navigate the complexity of local laws. We have seen how companies work locally, working with trusted local partners helps you in enforcing your IP rights.

Bad faith registration is not uncommon in the region where third parties may register businesses’ IP, thereby preventing the legitimate business owner from registering and using it. Timelines for registration can vary considerably across the region and depending on IP right so make sure to research in good time.