Regional Workshop Sparks Lively Discussion at the WIPO Regional Office in Singapore

September 4, 2018

Every year the WIPO Regional Office in Singapore (WSO) works with the Singaporean Government under its Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) to organize three regional workshops.  Each workshop has a different theme and high level government officials from the Asia-Pacific region are invited to attend.  The second event under the SCP for 2018 was the Regional Seminar on the Digital Disruption in the Creative Economy:  A Multifaceted Challenge with Great Potential.

This workshop saw officials with responsibility for copyright take part in the two day event.  Participants  heard a range of perspectives to consider when formulating new policy or government initiatives in the field of the creative economy.  For example there was a fascinating discussion on the salient features of the industrial revolution 4.0 and how these features manifest themselves in the creative economy.   This was followed by a presentation which emphasized the importance of copyright treaties and national legislation in the digital era.

Presentations were also delivered by key copyright industry stakeholders such as the International Federation of Phonogram Producers Industry, the Singapore Book Publishers Association, the Motion Picture Licensing Company, the Asia Video Industry Association and a games designer.  It was important for the officials to hear firsthand the concerns various industry players have with aspects of the digital age.

Feedback from questionnaires indicated that the audience found the workshop very relevant and useful, with all agreeing that the skills and knowledge acquired during the workshop would add value to their organization.