Singapore Launches Public Consultation on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property, Exploring the Balance between Tech Innovation and IP Protection

This article was first published on 26 August 2026 in the Singapore Mandarin broadsheet, Lianhe Zaobao.

SLW obtained permission to reproduce the article to give the legal community a broader view of legal reports for various news syndicates.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to create content, perform research and innovation, and support decision-making. The Government has launched a public consultation to examine the impact of AI developments on Singapore’s copyrights and patents regimes, and is seeking feedback from all sectors to ensure that the relevant laws and frameworks remain responsive to emerging technological developments.

Edwin Tong, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, announced the launch of the public consultation in his opening address at the Global Forum on Intellectual Property on Wednesday (August 26), pointing out that AI is transforming traditional ways of creation, innovation, and value generation, and as a result, the macro backdrop surrounding intellectual property (IP) protection has also evolved.

He stressed that yesterday’s rules should not simply be applied to today’s technologies. Instead, there is a need to rethink what rules would be best placed to continue encouraging creation and innovation even as the way we create has changed. “And if this means removing some of the old rules and formulating new ones, then so be it,” he said. “We’re prepared to make that commitment, and will move as quickly as the industry moves.”

The public consultation by the Ministry of Law and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) starts today and will run until 5pm on October 22.

Tong noted that Singapore’s existing Computational Data Analysis exception under the Copyright Act provides a legal basis for data analysis involving technologies such as AI, supporting innovation while safeguarding the interests of copyright holders. However, as AI becomes more pervasive, the Government will have to relook this exception to ensure that it continues to strike the right balance.

Countries around the world explore different approaches to AI copyright exemptions

Globally, jurisdictions are exploring different approaches to AI copyright exceptions, prescribing that certain acts are not infringing so that AI developers are not caught by legal liabilities. Japan and the European Union, for example, have text and data mining exceptions, while the United States primarily relies on the “fair use” principle. Australia, South Korea and India are also studying different approaches.

Tong said Singapore would carefully study the global landscape to seek to achieve the “most appropriate balance”.

Commenting on AI training infringement lawsuits frequently seen around the world, including the recent US lawsuit against AI music-generation company Suno, Tong said in addition to refinements to the legal framework, rights holders may also need to adopt more technical measures to prevent their works from being used for AI training without authorisation. The Government will also consider how less well-resourced rights holders can be better supported in these efforts.

Tong also pointed to a broader shift from “scarcity to abundance” as AI changes where commercial value comes from. He cited the example of French music streaming platform Deezer, where the number of AI-generated tracks received each day has risen from around 10,000 in January last year to 90,000 today. “But that does not make creativity less valuable. It, however, changed what gives businesses their edge.”

He explained that if anyone can use AI to create a good advertisement in seconds, the brand behind the advertisement, data-driven customer insights, as well as the commercial networks and know-how to bring products to market are what really make a company competitive.

According to a statement issued jointly by the Ministry of Law and IPOS, Singapore’s IP regime should protect creativity and investment while also ensuring innovation benefit the public. The consultation focuses on two key areas—copyright and patents, focusing on how regulatory changes, practical information resources and non-binding technical measures can be used to enhance certainty and accountability in the IP system and strengthen confidence among stakeholders.

On copyright, key issues for discussion include enhancing legal certainty and accountability in AI training, managing copyright risks in AI deployment, and the role of human creativity in AI-assisted works. On patents, the consultation examines how existing inventorship principles should apply across the growing spectrum of human-AI interactions in the inventive process, as well as how large-scale publication of AI-generated disclosures may affect the prior art landscape.

The authorities had earlier engaged with rights holders, tech companies, representatives from the creative industry, legal professionals, academics, and other stakeholders, to examine AI-related questions on IP protection in a co-creation manner. The latest consultation aims to gather views from a broader range of stakeholders, and members of the public can submit their views through FormSG or through email.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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