ABSTRACT
Asia is placed within the global value chains (GVCs) that are mostly controlled by multinational corporations (MNCs). MNCs regulate GVCs through IP treaties and laws and IP rights (IPRs). Singapore is one recent example of how an Asian economy can move up the GVCs, especially through IP. This chapter begins with a theoretic analysis of GVCs, its smiling (or U) curve and the role of IPR protection in GVCs. The second section discusses Singapore’s economic model and its position in GVCs. The third section discusses Singapore’s IP authorities and IP performance. Section 4 analyzes Singapore’s two-prong approach to entrenching its position in GVCs. The first is to raise the IP protection level with some Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), but not with others. The second is to establish itself as a hub for IP dispute resolution by adopting The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements and the Singapore Convention on Mediation. The chapter concludes by summarizing the success of Singapore and proposing some recommendations for Asian countries in their efforts to move up the GVCs.
