Zechariah Chan, PBM

About Zechariah

Zech Chan, PBM, is a Partner with the firm’s Intellectual Property Department, with more than 20 years of expertise in the legal and commercial aspects of Intellectual Property which includes Trademark, Patents, Copyright, Industrial Design and Data Protection. He is a contact Partner for Privacy & Data Protection matters at Lee & Lee.

With deep expertise in Singapore’s Intellectual Property framework, Zech is adept at guiding clients through issues in the protection, enforcement, commercialisation and management of their intellectual property assets. His work includes litigation, negotiating agreements, and intellectual property due diligence work.

Prior to joining Lee & Lee, Zech spent 3 years at a Fortune 25 US Multinational as IP Counsel, where he co-managed the trademarks portfolio and concurrently advised on wide ranging commercial issues touching on the intellectual assets of the company. 

He is also the Chair of the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and has served several terms on the East Asia & Pacific Subcommittee including the Anti Counterfeiting & Enforcement Committee (ACEC), Legislation & Regulation Committee (LRC), Non Traditional Marks Committee (NTM) and Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee.

Zech is a Principal Mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre and Mediator with the State Courts of Singapore and Law Society of Singapore.

Zech has been regularly cited as a leading intellectual property lawyer in Singapore and Asia by various legal publications, including The Asia Pacific Legal 500, World Trademark Review – WTR 1000 and IAM Patent 1000. He has been described as “highly experienced” particularly in view of his time spent in-house at a US enterprise and commended for providing commercially attuned and “impeccable service” in the 2019 World Trademark Review – WTR 1000. He has also spoken at local and international conferences on intellectual property law.

He is a commissioned military intelligence officer of the Singapore Armed Forces and also the Vice Chairperson of the School Advisory Committee of a local elementary school.

Case Highlights

• Handling contentious matters in relation to trade mark, copyright, patents, passing off, confidential information and competition law

• Acting for Singapore listed entities in relation to investigations by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)

• Advising, drafting, reviewing and negotiating Intellectual Property/ Information Technology related documents including licensing, assignment and co-existence agreements

• Advisory work in relation to telecommunications, advertising, data protection and consumer protection laws

• Acting in contentious trademark matters including opposition, cancellation/ invalidation proceedings conducted at the Supreme Court of Singapore and Intellectual Property Office of Singapore

Publications

• Halsbury's Laws of Singapore - Volume 13(3) Intellectual Property, 2024 Reissue

• Lexis Advance Practical Guidance Singapore (IP & IT Module), 2023

• Lexis Advance Practical Guidance Singapore (Commercial Module), 2022

• Halsbury's Laws of Singapore - Volume 13(3) Intellectual Property, 2020 Reissue

• Halsbury's Laws of Singapore - Volume 13(3) Intellectual Property, 2018 Reissue

• Lexis Practical Guidance Singapore (Commercial Module), 2016

Awards & Recognitions

• The World's Leading Trademark Professionals - WTR 1000

• The World's Leading Patent Professionals  - IAM Patent 1000

• Service to Education, Silver Award, 2023

• Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (The Public Service Medal), National Award, 2022

• Outstanding Court Volunteer Award (Advocate & Solicitor), 2022

• Service to Education, Pewter Award, 2017

• SAF Good Service Medal

• SAF National Service Medal

Memberships & Directorships

• Registered Trade Mark Agent, Institute of Singapore Trade Mark Agents

• Director, Singapore Environment Council (SEC)

• Chairman, Singapore Green Labelling Scheme, SEC

• Chair, Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee, International Trademark Association (INTA)

• Vice Chairperson, School Advisory Committee, Lakeside Primary School