229. Singapore would like to thank the United States for its efforts in preparing the discussion paper on IP licensing opportunities, and we are pleased to be a co-sponsor of this paper. As of 2021, the value of Singapore's receipts and payments for the use of IP totalled USD 29 billion – or 7.8% of Singapore's GDP. Singapore supports the development of a healthy IP licensing ecosystem. When conducted well, IP licensing is a powerful tool to unlock the value of innovation. It supports the wider use and dissemination of innovation, while ensuring that innovators are rewarded for their contributions.
230. Next, we would like to share briefly on what Singapore has done to facilitate public-private IP licensing and commercialisation. Given the importance of building consistent practices across the public sector to encourage IP commercialisation, an IP expert group within the Singapore government developed a baseline IP licensing agreement template, as well as templates for research collaboration agreements.
231. These templates are meant to guide public agencies in navigating IP licensing negotiations and research collaborations with industry partners. These templates will also enable companies to gain easier access to IP generated from publicly funded research and development, whilst balancing the interests of the government. The templates include optional clauses and internal explanatory notes to aid agencies in customising the templates where appropriate, based on factors such as the type of IP, field of use, industry sector, and desired outcomes. Singapore looks forward to hearing and learning from other Members on their national experiences in IP licensing and we once again thank the United States of America for this paper.
