Hong Kong: Navigating the money laundering minefield – the Court of Appeal dismissed the constitutional challenge against the “no consent” regime

Reading Time: 10 minutesIntroduction In Interush Ltd v Commissioner of Police [2019] HKCA 70, the Court of Appeal (“CA”) has rejected an argument that two money laundering offences, namely sections 25 and 25A of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455) (“OSCO”) under the so called “no consent regime” or “informal freezing” of assets, infringe the property rights and […]

Cannabis is now legal in Thailand for medical use and research

Reading Time: 5 minutesWhat do investors need to know about it? The latest amendment to the Narcotics Act, effective as of 18 February 2019, allows only the distribution and possession of cannabis for study and medical purposes and in limited quantities. The use or possession of cannabis for purposes other than the ones mentioned above is still prohibited […]

5 Times when the Non-Compete Clauses in your Employment Contract Probably Aren’t Enforceable

Reading Time: 3 minutesNon-compete clauses are quite common in employment contracts for certain industries in Singapore. They typically seek to restrict an employee’s right to engage in a similar occupation with a competitor for a period of time after the termination of the employment contract. However, what many employers who include such clauses are not aware of is […]

Hong Kong: HKEx published its latest review of corporate governance practices and updated its guidance material on ESG reporting

Reading Time: 8 minutesIntroduction On 16 November 2018, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Exchange”) published the findings of its latest review of listed issuers’ corporate governance practices and updated its guidance material on environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) reporting. Latest review of listed issuers’ corporate governance practices Since the introduction of the Corporate Governance Code […]

Singapore Trade Marks – Intercontinental Exchange Holdings Loses Registration Of “BRENT” and “BRENT INDEX” Trade Marks After Successful Invalidation By Chicago Mercantile Exchange – Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. v Intercontinental Exchange Holdings, Inc. [2018] SGIPOS 20

Reading Time: 10 minutesIn a decision rendered by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”), it was held that the “BRENT” and “BRENT INDEX” trade marks registered by Intercontinental Exchange Holdings, Inc. is to be declared invalid as Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. successfully pleads all grounds of invalidity in their application. (A) Who are the parties involved in […]

Lao PDR Legal Alert: New Economic Dispute Resolution Law in Effect

Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Amended Law on the Resolution of Economic Disputes (Nº 51/NA, 22 June 2018) (the “Amended Law”) came into effect on 6 December 2018 and replaced the previous Law on Economic Dispute Resolution (Nº 06/NA, 17 December 2010) (the “2010 Law”). A key highlight of the Amended Law is the inclusion of more detailed procedures […]

Intellectual Property Commentary: The Lost Beat

Reading Time: 3 minutesBeats Electronics, LLC lost its opposition in Singapore against the registration of LG’s mark for “QuadBeat” applied for in Class 9 for various goods, including “Audio Receivers; Headphones; Earphones; Headphones with microphone function; Headsets”. In the opposition, Beats Electronics, LLC relied on nine of its registered trademarks, including the word “BEATS” for a range of […]

[Photos] Financial and Alternative Investments: Moving towards Financial Liberty

Reading Time: 1 minutesOn the 30th January 2019, Asia Law Network together with Lu International organised a panel discussion on Financial and Alternative Investments. The speakers on Panel One include: Ms Gillian Lee, Head of Business Development and Marketing at Lu International, Mr Benjamin Szeto, Deputy Head of RHTLaw Taylor Wessing’s Private Wealth Industry Group, Mr Steven Liew, […]

Singapore Trade Marks – Monster Energy Company Failed Yet Another Opposition – Monster Energy Company V NBA Properties Inc. [2018] SGIPOS 16

Reading Time: 8 minutesIn a decision rendered by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”), it was held that Monster Energy Company had failed in its opposition against NBA Properties Inc. Whilst the energy drink company has spent more than US$2.2 million in marking and promotional activities in Singapore, it has also launched multiple strikes against various different […]

Myanmar: Insolvency Laws in Myanmar

Reading Time: 6 minutesThis article has been published in IBA Banking Law Committee Publications. Insolvency laws in Myanmar Myanmar insolvency legislation is interspersed with and revolves around the Rangoon Insolvency Act 1910 (‘Rangoon Act’), the Burma Insolvency Act 1920 (‘Burma Act’) and the Myanmar Companies Law 2017 (MCL). Like the majority of laws in the country, both the […]

Lost in Translation: A Balancing Act in Southeast Asia

Reading Time: 8 minutesBrand owners with trademarks in English or another home country language who have strong business interests in Southeast Asia often wonder whether they should also protect their brands in local languages within targeted markets. One key factor in considering whether to file trademarks in multiple languages is typically cost. That said, sometimes it is better […]