Welcome to our July issue, where the ‘ Focus’ is on ‘ Intellectual Property’. We open with an article by the President of the International Trademark Association on the benefits of harmonising trademark law internationally, followed by a clear and succinct account of what a patent specification constitutes. We then have an interesting summary of the recent case where the validity of the patent for the HIV-2 virus was upheld in the High Court. Next, we have an article on the resolution of disputes over domain names. This section is rounded off with a fascinating profile of intellectual property lawyers in Singapore.

In our ‘Features’ section, we have an article encouraging small practices to forge ahead in these technology-ridden and fast-paced times. There is also an article expressing the view of a conveyancing practitioner on when it may be appropriate to obtain a seller’s mortgagee’s prior consent in a sale of a property. Finally, there is an explanation of the terms of the new Legal Profession (International Services) Rules 2000, which regulate the registration of Joint Law Ventures and Formal Law Alliances.

Readers, do bear in mind that you have a forum here in your own journal to voice your comments and opinions, so please take advantage of this opportunity, get writing or tapping on your keyboard and direct your news and views to us via post, fax or email, to:

The Editor,
The Singapore Law Gazette
Butterworths Asia
No 1 Temasek Avenue
#17-01 Millenia Tower
Singapore 039192
Fax: 336 9662
Email: slgbutterworths@netscape.net