MINISTRY OF LAW

A review is being made of our patent and copyright laws to make them more relevant to the sophisticated and technologically advanced Singapore of the 1990's. Patent registration should be less cumbersome and expensive under the new laws which would allow patents to be registered directly in Singapore on the basis of search and examination reports from overseas patent offices. This should also encourage local Research and Development and the multi-national companies to bring new technology to Singapore. The now copyright laws should extend protection to computer software, microfilms, tapes, broadcasts and the other new forms that copyright works take. The products of such intellectual endeavour must be adequately safeguarded for creativity to blossom and flourish in our future Singapore.

The Ministry is computerizing its operations for higher efficiency and productivity. A computerized land data bank is to be established. Speedier processing of land and property transactions and production, reproduction and updating of plans and maps would be the consequence, with a better service to the public. Greater automation and computerization of such public services would also enhance the development of Singapore as a centre of high technology.

To meet the increasingly sophisticated legal requirements of the Singapore of the future, all laws would have to be continually reviewed and revised where necessary. A new Revised Edition of the Laws of Singapore containing all unrepealed Acts enacted before 31 December 1985 will be published by the Law Revision Commission. The new edition of laws will be in a new loose-leaf format to facilitate regular updating.

E W BARKER Minister for Law