Lau Kok Keng

Head, Intellectual Property, Sports and Gaming

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP

“Mr Lau was definitely the perfect choice for our IP dispute resolution in Singapore, and we are very satisfied with him and his team.” – Chambers Asia-Pacific

Kok Keng has been in practice in Singapore since 1990. His main practice areas are intellectual property (“IP“), technology and media law. Within these areas, he handles both contentious and non-contentious work.

Kok Keng is recognised as a leading lawyer in his fields by publications such as Chambers Asia-Pacific, Asian Legal Business, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, asialaw, Who’s Who Legal (Singapore, Southeast Asia and Global editions), Best Lawyers (Singapore), and Managing IP. In addition, Kok Keng has been consistently recommended as a global leader in the areas of data – information technology, entertainment, gaming and sports by Who’s Who Legal, placing him amongst the world’s pre-eminent lawyers in each of these fields.

Kok Keng is also currently a member of the Singapore Copyright Tribunal. He serves as an IP Arbitrator with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and acts as Facilitator for the Patents module of the Singapore Institute of Legal Education’s Preparatory Course leading to Part B of Singapore Bar Examinations.

Kok Keng is also a member of the Singapore Sports Institute’s Institutional Review Board which provides independent governance to ensure that all research projects undertaken by the institute conform to international practices for human biomedical research ethics and safety, and confidentiality and data privacy.

EXPERIENCE

Kok Keng undertakes a broad range of contentious, advisory and transactional IP work. Some of his recent matters include assisting the Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA) in brand protection and IP enforcement against ambush marketing activities in relation to the 2022 Qatar Men’s World Cup and 2023 Australia & New Zealand Women’s World Cup, representing a Swiss banking software developer in an arbitration involving a dispute relating to a core banking information technology (“IT“) project in Sri Lanka, advising a financial services company on the use of IP assets as security for financing, and assisting a client in filing a patent application for artificial intelligence-enabled document processing system and method to extract selected information.

Kok Keng also led the team that represented the developer of a popular mobile video game in a copyright lawsuit which was awarded Impact Case of the Year at the asialaw Awards 2023.

Kok Keng’s broad range of clients include technology companies, television broadcasters, cable operators, copyright licensing organisations, copyright licensees, major software and hardware manufacturers, computer gaming companies, internet service providers, sports organisations, terrestrial and online gaming operators, movie production houses, inventors, authors, publishers and tertiary education institutions.

Intellectual Property

Some of Kok Keng’s other notable IP cases and transactions include the following:

  • Represented a Chinese video game publisher in a copyright infringement suit against a US game developer in the Singapore International Commercial Court.
  • Represented the Singapore National Olympic Committee in the enforcement of Olympic trade marks during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
  • Represented a solar energy provider in a patent infringement suit in the High Court and Court of Appeal of Singapore.
  • Advised the governing body for sports in Singapore on various trade mark and copyright issues relating to the 28th Southeast Asian Games and ASEAN Para Games 2015.
  • Advised a leading, pan-Asian, industrial agri-food company on patent issues arising from the testing of cows for the A2 beta-casein protein.
  • Advised an Indonesian based company on ownership of inventions co-developed by start-ups in the region.
  • Acted for a lottery operator against various operators and hosts of websites for trade mark infringement and domain name disputes.
  • Represented a Japanese manufacturer of container securing systems in a patent infringement suit in the High Court of Singapore.
  • Advised a US company in the field of marine telecommunication technology on a patent infringement case.
  • Advised an international software company in its defence against a claim for alleged copyright infringement in relation to the content on one of its websites accessible in Singapore.
  • Advised an inventor of a sound enhancing process on the valuation of the invention.
  • Advised an internet radio broadcaster in relation to a claim of copyright infringement through reception in multiple jurisdictions of satellite signals uplinked from Singapore.
  • Advised an inventor in relation to infringement of patent for air culture system for the growth of plants in a controlled environment.
  • Advised various clients on the filing of trademark applications under the Madrid Protocol for international registration of trade marks.
  • Advised various clients on filing of patent applications under the Patent Co-operation Treaty in relation to international and national phase filings.
  • Advised a major hardware multinational company on breach of confidential information by employees.
  • Advised various clients on issues relating to corporate espionage and misappropriation of trade secrets.
  • Advised a tertiary educational institution on issues of royalty payments to copyright owners for reproduction of literary works for educational purposes.
  • Advised on position under Singapore law of non-literal copying of software and user interfaces for use as evidence in English court proceedings.
  • Represented a US software multinational in relation to anti-counterfeiting programs and commercial licensing disputes.
  • Represented a regional law association in relation to the use of a confusingly similar trade mark by a law firm.
  • Represented a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer in an arbitration against a Korean multinational electronics company in a dispute over a patent licence.
  • Represented a Malaysian semiconductor company in a claim for breach of confidentiality against a Singapore competitor company.
  • Represented a Chinese multinational computer giant in a patent infringement litigation with an American inventor.
  • Advised a broadcaster on clearance of IP rights for simulcasting television programmes.
  • Advised a statutory board in relation to an intellectual property audit and the structuring of an effective IP protection programme for its marine hatchery operations.
  • Advised an IT start-up in relation to IP audit on its technology and know-how.
  • Advised a Hong Kong company which holds the commercial rights in a famous cartoon character on its claim for trade mark and copyright infringement and passing off against an importer in Singapore.
  • Represented the salvors of artefacts from the RMS Titanic in a trade dress and copyright infringement claim against a Singapore events and exhibitions company.
  • Represented a Singapore government-linked company in arbitration proceedings in Singapore against a US company over disputed ownership of intellectual property rights in research and development.
  • Conducted training courses on intellectual property law and contract law for the operator of a leading performing arts centre.
  • Represented various Japanese rights owners and licensees in pursuing enforcement actions against downloaders of anime movies.
  • Represented various individuals in defending against claims brought by a Hollywood movie producer for downloading of its movie.
  • Represented an owner of rights in online street maps in enforcing claims for unauthorized use of its maps.
  • Advised a US computer gaming company in a licensing dispute with a Chinese game distributor.

Technology

Kok Keng is regularly involved in complex technology litigation and arbitration proceedings, including acting for a multinational banking software company in a dispute with a foreign bank over a software implementation project, advising the government on a multimillion-dollar dispute in connection with the implementation of a public sector-wide IT outsourcing project, and representing a developer of a popular mobile game in defending against a High Court suit brought by a rival game developer claiming copyright ownership in game concepts and game characters. He has also advised various corporate clients on technology licensing, data protection, electronic commerce issues, domain name disputes, online defamation, electronic payments and contracts, and content regulation. Clients include technology companies, financial institutions, gaming operators, pharmaceutical companies, traditional and new media companies, internet service providers, sports federations, game publishers, design and construction companies, fund managers, management consultancies, trading and logistics companies, agri-food businesses and tertiary educational institutions.

Some of his notable technology cases and transactions include the following:

  • Represented a leading US software company in an arbitration in Singapore against a reseller and distributor.
  • Represented a US multinational IT hardware supplier in an arbitration in Singapore against a HK supplier of semiconductor components.
  • Represented a Japanese multinational electronics company in an arbitration in Singapore against a car accessories mall in relation to a dispute over the development of an e-commerce portal.
  • Advising a Swiss banking software and services provider in a claim against a Thai bank over an aborted IT project.
  • Advised a leading insurance company on disputes over a software implementation project.
  • Represented a lottery company in a dispute with a Malaysia-based software implementer relating to an SAP software integration implementation project.
  • Advised a pay television operator on cross carriage requirements and its effect on unlawful reception of television signals via illegal set-top boxes.
  • Advised a content aggregator on data privacy laws in Singapore.
  • Advised a fund manager on NIAC Revised Model Data Protection Code in Singapore.
  • Advised various clients on actions against cybersquatters.
  • Advised a telecommunications FBO licensee on its various disputes with the incumbent relating to provision of network facilities, interconnection and anti-competition issues.
  • Advised a leading media company on its global children’s privacy policy.
  • Advised various clients on data privacy and confidentiality issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and regulatory compliance arising from the pandemic, including Covid-19 screening and vaccination requirements, and data issues arising from differentiated work measures.
  • Advised a leading business software company on the conduct of medical surveys amongst its employees and data issues arising therefrom.
  • Advised a leading design company on its international data transfer risk assessment and intra-group data transfer arrangements.

Sports, Media & Entertainment

Lau Kok Keng heads up the Sports Law practice of Rajah & Tann Asia. He has worked with various domestic and international sports governing bodies and federations, football clubs, sports agencies, commercial rights holders, sponsors, television broadcasters, cable operators, sports associations, sports bookmakers, and sports and media personalities. Such work includes handling a broad spectrum of legal and regulatory issues arising from the hosting of multi-sport regional events  like the Beijing Olympics 2008, Asian Youth Games 2009, SEA Games 2015 and ASEAN Para Games 2015, and dealing with commercial licensing, sponsorship, broadcast and public viewing issues arising from single-sport international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup (multiple editions), the UEFA Euro Championships (multiple editions),  the Indonesian Soccer Championship, the IRB Sevens World Series and the International Champions Cup Singapore.

Kok Keng is recognised as a leading lawyer in his fields by following publications such as Asian Legal Business’s Legal Who’s Who, Asia Pacific Legal 500, AsiaLaw Leading Lawyers, PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook Singapore and Who’s Who Legal Singapore. In addition, Kok Keng has consistently been featured The International Who’s Who of Sports & Entertainment Lawyers, placing him amongst the world’s pre-eminent lawyers in these fields. Nominees are selected based upon comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide.

His work also extends to advising sports bookmakers on various legal and regulatory aspects of sports betting. Uniquely, he helped establish the legal framework governing legalized sports betting in Singapore, first in 2002 for football betting, and subsequently in 2008 for betting on Formula One races. He has been the external legal counsel for Partner-in-Sports – Singapore Pools since 2001, and helped negotiate an agreement with the Singapore Tourism Board to co-fund the Formula One race when it was first introduced in Singapore.

Apart from having served as an arbitrator with the Court of Arbitration for Sports from 2015 to 2019, Kok Keng (who is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) is was recently appointed as a member of the newly established international Table Tennis Federation Tribunal, and was on the Ad Hoc Panel of Arbitrators for the 29th South East Asian Games that took place in Kuala Lumpur in August 2017, having worked with the Olympic Council of Malaysia since 2015 on drafting the basic framework for a SEA Games Dispute Resolution Panel. Kok Keng has sat on Committees of Inquiry and Player Status Committee of National Sports Associations, as well as on disciplinary panels of the Singapore National Olympic Council and professional football clubs in Singapore. He has also appeared as Counsel on behalf of a professional football club in hearings before the judicial bodies of the Football Association of Singapore and FIFA involving the club’s officials and players. He conducts yearly workshops on sports arbitration for the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Singapore Branch and the Asian International Arbitration Centre (formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Regional Arbitration Centre) in Malaysia. From 2012 to 2015, he served as Vice-Chairman of Geylang International Football Club – a professional football club playing in Singapore’s S-League, and handled all of the club’s legal and regulatory matters.

In 2021, Kok Keng was appointed to the Tribunal of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the world-governing body of the sport of table tennis, as an ITTF Tribunal Member.

Some of Kok Keng’s notable work in the area of sports law include the following:

  • Representing a government sports body in a dispute with an athlete over funding entitlement
  • Represented an Asian Games 2018 medal winning athlete in securing a withdrawal of an anti-doping violation notice after a successful application for a Retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption, thus allowing the athlete to avoid medal-stripping, disciplinary proceedings and adverse media publicity
  • Advising a National Olympic Council on an ongoing investigation into an incident which occurred during the 2015 SEA Games Marathon event. This incident has since escalated into multiple defamation suits in the Singapore courts.
  • Advised a national sports federation on show cause proceedings against its former President arising from findings of the Ethics Committee of the world governing body for that sport which found the former President guilty of charges of vote buying in respect of the Presidential elections for the world governing body
  • Advised a government agency on the funding and sponsorship of a football tournament in Singapore involving top European football clubs
  • Advised a leading international sports rights agency on its commercial rights licensing arrangements with a national football federation
  • Advising a national sports federation on the establishment of a new format franchised league competition and the commercialization of rights in relation thereto
  • Advised the owner of the commercial rights in the Indonesian Soccer Championship on a title sponsorship agreement
  • Advised an Asian party on its proposed investment in a new professional football franchise in the ASEAN region
  • Advised an Asian party on its discussions with a leading European club to secure a franchise for hotel and F&B operations in Asia
  • Represented a global rights management and licensing agency in a claim against a licensee of rights associated with a famous footballer as used in the operation of sports-themed cafes and merchandise
  • Advised on grants to a national sports federation to set up a commercial vehicle for the management and operation of a training facility
  • Advised a government sports agency on an agreement for the provision of anti-doping support services.
  • Advised a government sports agency on a sports science research collaboration with an isotonic drinks manufacturer
  • Advised an Asian professional golf tour on a strategic alliance with a European professional golf tour
  • Advised a national sports federation on disputes between members over constitutional issues
  • Advised Executive Council members of a national sports federation on defamation issues arising from publication of general meeting documents
  • Advised a Japanese financial services provider on sponsorship of television broadcasts of World Cup Qualifying Rounds matches
  • Advised a pay-television operator on commercial and IP infringement issues arising from the use of set top boxes to receive cross carriage signals of sports broadcasts
  • Advised a regional football governing body on its long-term commercial rights agreement
  • Advised a regional football governing body on a broadcasting licence agreement with a leading Arabic broadcaster
  • Successfully represented a bodybuilder in overturning a doping ban on the basis of non-compliance with doping control procedures and the IFBB Anti-Doping Rules
  • Advised a leading English Premier League and Champions League winning club with extensive commercial operations and one of the largest fan bases in the Far East to advise on legal issues arising in various jurisdictions in South East and North East Asia.
  • Advised state and private online sports bookmakers on legal and regulatory issues
  • Advised television broadcasters in connection with the use of live footages of sports events
  • Advised a national football association on a team kit sponsorship contract
  • Advised on the sponsorship of the national badminton team by a Chinese equipment manufacturer,
  • Advised on the sponsorship of Team Singapore athletes by a leading Japanese electronics equipment manufacturer
  • Advised the sponsorship of a National Olympic Council by a distributor of motor vehicles
  • Advised sports facilities owners and operators on liability for mishaps occurring at sports venues
  • Advised a government agency on various sports-related funding initiatives and schemes, including funding of electronic scoreboard at a football stadium, scholarships for students of a Sports Institute, television coverage and production of S.League matches, and financial support of the Formula One race in Singapore
  • Advised an SLeague professional football club on various club and apparel sponsorships with third parties
  • Advised a sports equipment manufacturer on title sponsorship of a World Badminton series
  • Advised a leading global sports apparel manufacturer on athlete sponsorships
  • Advised a local and a foreign sports lottery operator on copyright and database rights in football fixture lists
  • Advised a national television broadcaster on the use of television footage of live broadcasts of sports events in news bulletins
  • Advised a sports television broadcaster on policies and guidelines for its television presenters, producers and technical crew.

Kok Keng recently authored a new chapter on “Sports Arbitration” in the book “Arbitration in Singapore – A Practical Guide (2nd Edition, Sweet & Maxwell Asia)” which was published in September 2018. He also co-authored the Singapore Chapter of Sports Law Review (3rd Edition, 2017).

Kok Keng’s experience in the sports industry extends beyond legal practice. He has actual, hands-on experience in the sports industry, having served in the following capacities, amongst others:

  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Singapore National Olympic Council (current)
  • Member of the Singapore Sports Institute’s Institutional Review Board (current)
  • Member of the Singapore Safe Sport Commission (current)
  • Chaired Disciplinary Panel convened to deal with nine national football players who breached curfew at the SEA Games 2019
  • Vice-Chairman of Singapore Premier League club Geylang International Football Club (2012-2015)
  • Honorary Secretary to the Football Association of Singapore’s Captain’s Advisory Panel (2009-2011)
  • Member of the National Football Task Force (appointed by SportSG) that was formed to look into raising the standards of excellence for Singapore football (2013)
  • Member of the Vision 2030 “Spirit of Singapore” Sub-Committee formed by the Government to use football as the vehicle for community bonding (2011-2012)
  • Honorary Secretary to the Steering Committee for the Singapore 9s Masters Football Tournament (2009-2011)
  • President of the St Michael’s Soccer Academy (2009-2010)
  • Member of the Committee of Inquiry set up to determine circumstances that led to the administrative lapse which prevented the use of swimming caps by the Singapore contingent at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games (2014)

In 2011, Kok Keng co-founded the Legion of Lions, a voluntary movement formed to raise the level of public awareness and interest in Singapore football, and to promote football related welfare programmes and community causes. In June 2012, the Legion of Lions co-published with The New Paper the “50 Greatest Moments in Singapore Football” book – the first of its kind for any sport in Singapore – which served as a vehicle for a Government-supported nationwide School Outreach Programme for aspiring young footballers. Proceeds from the sales of the book were set aside and donated to charitable and other good causes related to football.

Gaming Law

Since 2002, Kok Keng has been actively involved in representing and advising clients in the gambling industry. His practice is arguably the most experienced and extensive gambling law practice in Singapore and in the region. Kok Keng’s team has, through their work with clients in the gambling industry, acquired a good practical understanding of various lottery, gaming and betting operations and products, and is able to apply that domain knowledge to the work products that are generated.

Kok Keng has advised on the legal and regulatory aspects of product conception, product development, devising of game rules, setting up of betting accounts and e-payment procedures, product launch, product distribution (including regulatory restrictions on retail outlet operations), prize claims and disputes over prize entitlements. He has also rendered legal support work such as the vetting of IT contracts, distributorship and supplier contracts, intellectual property issues, online banking issues, tax issues, consultancy contracts, sponsorship contracts and dispute resolution.

In addition, Kok Keng works with foreign and offshore private gaming operators, including a UK based casino, a Malaysian casino, a cruise ship casino and international gaming operators who offer online casinos, lotteries and sports betting products. He has helped companies desiring to enter the gaming industry undertake due diligence, feasibility studies, regulatory analysis, enlisting back-end and front-line operational support, dealing with contractual relationships with gaming vendors, and preparing/vetting supplier contracts.

Uniquely, he helped establish the legal framework governing legalized sports betting in Singapore. In 2002, he advised Singapore Pools on the implementation of a legalized betting system for the FIFA World Cup 2002 matches. This was the first time Singapore had allowed legalized betting on foreign football matches. Following from this, he helped set up the legal infrastructure for betting on foreign football leagues (starting with the English Premier League and then gradually extending to the Italian, Spanish, German and all other professional football leagues around the world), and international competitions like the UEFA Championships and Copa America, and international friendly matches. This involved drafting the exemptions under the Betting Act, advising on intellectual property issues relating to use of fixture lists, statistics and 3rd party commercial rights, drafting rules for participation in betting, review prize structures and claim procedures, reviewing regulatory compliance issues, advising on rollout implementation issues, and reviewing game rules for each bet type on offer.

Subsequently, he and his team were involved in setting up the legal infrastructure relating to account betting. This involved negotiating with banks and payment service providers for facilitating betting through accounts created with the bookmaker and linked to the customer’s nominated bank accounts, drafting terms and conditions for account betting, and resolving transactional matters, including live betting and prize claim issues.

In 2008, when Singapore hosted the first Formula 1 night race, he helped set up the legal infrastructure for betting on Formula 1 races. This extended beyond the Singapore Grand Prix to all races on the F1 Circuit.

He has advised clients on the provision of gaming services over multiple platforms including over the internet and through mobile phones. In addition, he has crafted betting data centre agreements, mobile betting payment fulfilment contracts, and advised on gaming and sports betting advertising regulations for various Asia Pacific jurisdictions.

He has also drafted and negotiated commercial agreements with vendors and suppliers of hardware and software used in the operations of sports betting, and with partners who collaborate with the bookmaker on sports events where bets are offered. In addition, he has advised the directors and shareholders of a Singapore casino licensee on compliance with the reporting and disclosure obligations of its casino licence, advised a Malaysian casino licensee on compliance issues relating to its casino licence, advised sports and social clubs on jackpot machine licensing, worked with various interested bidders in relation to the Singapore Integrated Resorts tender for the Marina Bay and Sentosa sites, and advised a gambler who had lost a significant sum of money through gambling at one of the two Integrated Resorts in Singapore of his recourse against the casino for failing in its duties under the Code of Practice for Responsible Gambling.

In recent times, he has been advising various offshore internet gambling operators, agents and support services providers such as software developers, gaming researchers and odds-setters on the effect of the newly introduced Remote Gambling Act 2014 of Singapore. He also recently advised the Government of an ASEAN country on proposed reform of its gaming laws.

Some of Kok Keng’s other notable work in the area of gambling law include the following:

  • Advised a regional lottery association on contractual and constitutional issues
  • Advised a foreign horse racing operator on simulcasting and commingling of horse races
  • Advised a foreign betting operator on commingling of bets with operators in other jurisdictions
  • Advised on the drafting legislative exemptions for legalised betting and gaming.
  • Advised a lottery operator on its gaming rules
  • Advised on setting up of offshore gaming operations
  • Prepared KYC documentation for a software distributor
  • Advised an Asian land-based casino group on proposed online gaming operations in various Asian jurisdictions
  • Advised a Taiwanese law firm in a bid presentation to the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in connection with the development of integrated resort casinos on Matsu Island
  • Assisted a junket operator in applying for an International Marketing Agent licence in Singapore
  • Assisted an equipment supplier in obtaining regulatory clearance to provide maintenance services to a casino in Singapore
  • Advised a Japanese pachinko operator on legal and regulatory issues in pachinko and slot machine operations
  • Advised a customer of a foreign casino on enforceability of gaming debt in Singapore
  • Advised a bank on gaming issues arising from in-house sweepstakes and contests
  • Advised a leading internet betting exchange on operations in Asia
  • Advised an online direct marketing channel offering sweepstake prizes on laws regulating gaming, data transfer and use of consumer data obtained in Singapore
  • Advised a lottery operation on legal and regulatory issues relating to sports betting, gaming rules and acquisitions of foreign online sports betting operations
  • Advised a lottery operator on drafting of various rules for lottery and betting products
  • Advised offshore online gaming companies on laws governing marketing and sponsorship activities
  • Advised a racing and number forecasts operator on the supply of gaming technology products and services by a leading lottery and gaming technology solutions provider
  • Negotiated a telebetting deal with various banks on behalf of a sports betting bookmaker
  • Advised a state operator on the implementation of responsible gaming policies and know-your-customer principles in compliance with anti-money laundering policies
  • Advised various online gaming software distributors on anti-money laundering laws
  • Negotiated various IT procurement contracts on behalf of a gaming operator
  • Advised on the applicability of gaming laws and regulations governing offshore gaming operations
  • Structuring legal documentation and terms of participation for on-line betting, on-line casino and on-line betting exchange services
  • Structuring revenue sharing arrangements for online gaming services
  • Advised on legal infrastructure for data centre services pertaining to on-line gaming
  • Advised a UK listed online gaming operator on organising a poker tournament in Singapore
  • Advised on acquisition and protection of gaming-related patents, trademarks and copyright
  • Advised on use of third-party intellectual property in sports betting
  • Advised on incorporation issues and shareholder issues in international gaming ventures and related regulatory concerns
  • Advised on gaming licence application processes in overseas jurisdictions such as Gibraltar, Vanuatu, Aldernay, Malta, Antigua/Barbuda, Kahnawake (Canada) and the Philippines
  • Advised on acquisitions of and joint ventures with foreign lottery and betting operations
  • Advised on licensing and regulatory compliance issues under the Casino Control Act
  • Preparing legal documentation relating to account betting
  • Advised a lottery operator on enforcement action against spoof websites and domain name squatters
  • Advised on remote live betting services including provision of gaming services via IPTV
  • Advised on the offering of internet raffles and skilled gaming in Singapore and Malaysia
  • Advised a foreign financial institution in relation to online investment marketing games offered to financial intermediaries in Singapore
  • Advised on the publication of gambling information and advertisements of gaming operators in magazines offered for sale in Singapore
  • Advised online payment service providers on Singapore law requirements
  • Advised a social club on jackpot machine licensing
  • Advised various interested bidders in relation to the Integrated Resorts tender for the Marina Bay and Sentosa sites
  • Advised on laws governing marketing and sponsorship activities by foreign online bookmakers and gaming operators
  • Advised an IT solutions provider on casino equipment licence application, post-licensing obligations and compliance requirements
  • Advised a multinational bank on the legality of conducting a lucky draw
  • Advised an operator on the legality of video/live streaming from UK/Europe into the PRC
  • Advised a multinational consultancy services firm on Legal Issues arising from the engaging in casino junket business In Singapore
  • Advised lottery operator on the hosting of regional and global gaming conferences
  • Advised a casino patron on a claim by Burswood casino for losses incurred at the casino
  • Advised on implementation of remote gambling services in the region
  • Advised on licensing arrangements for new casino operations in Vietnam
  • Advised on regulatory restrictions on advertising and promotion of foreign casinos to Singapore market
  • Advised on removal of cybersquatters of domain name resembling lottery operator
  • Advised on simulcasting and commingling of horse races
  • Advised various software development firms, operators and intermediaries on the Remote Gambling Act 2014
  • Advised an operator on a claim on a winning lottery ticket that had been mistakenly issued
  • Advised an individual on the remittance of earnings from online gaming businesses
  • Advised a software solutions provider on the legality of providing aggregated betting odds and real-time statistics to gaming operators
  • Preparing terms and conditions of a Baccarat Tournament for an Asian casino
  • Advised a master licensee of a leading casino gaming software provider on its sub-licensing transactions in Asia
  • Advised an international gaming company on the establishment of a business presence in Singapore and the conduct of business in Singapore
  • Advised various clients on various legal and regulatory issues arising under the Organised Crime Act 2015
  • Advised various operators and service providers on implementation of remote gambling services in the region
  • Advised an international casino chain on software and IP licensing arrangements for new casino operations in Vietnam.
  • Advised a leading Macau casino on regulatory restrictions on advertising and promotion of foreign casinos to Singapore residents
  • Advised a lottery operator and sports bookmaker on domain name disputes and enforcement action against cybersquatters
  • Advised a lottery operator on issues arising from the hosting of a global lottery conference in Singapore
  • Advised a lottery operator on a dispute over a claim on a winning ticket

Arbitration (current and recent)

  • Appointed as Arbitrator in a Court of Arbitration for Sport arbitration appeal between an Asian professional football player and a Chinese professional football club.
  • Representing a US business software company in an SIAC arbitration against a Singapore reseller and its Malaysian subsidiary in a claim for breach of contract and copyright infringement.
  • Represented a Singapore government linked company in SIAC arbitration proceedings against a US company over disputed ownership of intellectual property rights in research and development.
  • Represented a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer in an SIAC arbitration against a Korean multinational electronics company in a dispute over a patent licence.
  • Represented a Swiss banking software company in ICC arbitration proceedings against an Islamic Bank over a software implementation project.
  • Represented a US multinational IT hardware supplier in an SIAC arbitration case against a HK supplier of semiconductor components.
  • Represented a Japanese multinational electronics company in an ICC arbitration against a car accessories mall in relation to a dispute over the development of an e-commerce portal.

Reported Judgments

  • [2015] SGHC 159 – Ship’s Equipment Centre Bremen GmbH v Fuji Trading (Singapore) Pte Ltd and others and another suit
  • [2012] John Berchmans v Singapore Pools (High Court, unreported)
  • [2010] SGCA 36 – MFM Restaurants Pte Ltd v Fish & Co Restaurants Pte Ltd
  • [2009] 2 SLR(R) 814 – Wing Joo Loong Ginseng Hong (Singapore) Co Pte Ltd v Qinghai Xinyuan Foreign Trade Co Ltd and another and another appeal
  • [2006] 1 SLR(R) 510 – Re Platts-Mills Mark Fortescue QC
  • [2008] 3 SLR(R) 296 – Wing Joo Loong Ginseng Hong (Singapore) Co Pte Ltd v Qinghai Xinyuan Foreign Trade Co Ltd and another
  • [2008] 3 SLR(R) 18 – Odex Pte Ltd v Pacific Internet Ltd
  • [2005] 3 SLR(R) 91 – Megastar Entertainment Pte Ltd and another v Odex Pte Ltd
  • [2003] SGMC 30 – Public Prosecutor v Tan Yan Tong
  • [1996] 3 SLR(R) 760 – Brown Noel Trading Pte Ltd v Donald & McArthy Pte Ltd
  • [1992] 1 SLR(R) 595 – Re Singh Kalpanath
  • [1996] 1 SLR(R) 809 – Sintra Merchants Pte Ltd v Brown Noel Trading Pte Ltd (Donald & McArthy Pte Ltd, third party)
  • [1998] 1 SLR(R) 713 – Jet Aviation (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Jet Maintenance Pte Ltd
  • [1997] SGHC 281 – Tan Kee & Ors v The Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore
  • [1994] 3 SLR(R) 787 – Management Corporation Strata Title Plan No 1272 v Ocean Front Pte Ltd (Ssangyong Engineering and Construction Co Ltd and others, third parties)
  • [1995] 3 SLR(R) 653 – RSP Architects Planners & Engineers v Ocean Front Pte Ltd and another appeal
  • [1991] 1 SLR(R) 246 – Yomeishu Seizo Co Ltd and another v Sinma Medical Products (S) Pte Ltd

MEMBERSHIPS / DIRECTORSHIPS

  • Member, International Table Tennis Federation Tribunal
  • Member, Singapore Copyright Tribunal
  • Member, International Trademark Association
  • Member, Asian Patent Attorneys Association
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Panel Member, Asian Sports Tribunal
  • Member, International Masters in Gaming Law
  • Arbitrator, Singapore International Arbitration Centre
  • Member, Safe Sport Commission Singapore
  • Member, Institutional Review Board of Singapore Sports Institute
  • Faculty Member, Asian International Arbitration Centre’s Certificate Programme in Sports Arbitration
  • Executive Board Member, Singapore National Olympic Council
  • Governor, St. Joseph’s Institution International

PUBLICATIONS

  • Co-author, “Regional Intellectual Property Annual Roundup 2023”, published by Rajah & Tann Asia (Feb 2024)
  • Co-author, “Tackling AML Law Enforcement Issues Arising From Online Gambling Involving Residents in China: The Singapore Approach”, published by Gambling.Re (Jul 2024)
  • Co-author, “Legal and Regulatory Issues in Video Gaming and Esports”, published by the National University of Singapore Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, & the Law (Jan and Feb 2024)
  • Co-author, “Gaming Law 2023”, published by Chambers and Partners (Nov 2023)
  • Co-author, “The Rise of Augmented Reality and its Novel Challenges”, published by the National University of Singapore Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, & the Law (Oct 2023)
  • Co-author, “The Impact of Technology on Sports”, published by the National University of Singapore Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, & the Law (Jul 2023)
  • Co-author, “Data & Digital Economy: Beyond the Hype of the Metaverse”, published by Rajah & Tann Asia (May 2023)
  • Co-author, “Determining an Employer’s Liability for Employee’s Copyright Infringement – Court Finds Employer Vicariously for Use of Unauthorised Software”, Client Update, published by Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP (Mar 2023)
  • Co-author, “Public Consultation on Proposed Intangibles Disclosure Framework”, Client Update, published by Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP (Feb 2023)

Location(s)

Practice Area(s)

Qualifications

  • LLB (Hons), National University of Singapore
  • Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore

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