Overview

• Minister for Law Edwin Tong directed the POFMA Office to issue correction directions to Aupen founder Nicholas Tan and the brand’s Instagram account on Sept 22.
• The orders cover Instagram posts and stories from Sept 9, 15 and 16 that the government says contained false statements about IPOS’ advice, neutrality and Singapore’s trademark laws.
• Tan must publish correction notices stating the posts conveyed false statements of fact and include a link to the government’s clarification of his interactions with IPOS.
• The government’s Factually site said the allegations gave a misleading impression about the treatment of local businesses and threatened confidence in IP administration.
• The dispute unfolded as Target considers opposing Aupen’s US trademark application, with a posted lawyer’s letter noting a Sept 24 deadline, and after Aupen wiped its website and Instagram content.