Sunseap v Sun Electric: High Court's Jurisdiction in Patent Revocation Proceedings

Sunseap Group Pte Ltd, Sunseap Energy Pte Ltd, and Sunseap Leasing Pte Ltd appealed against the High Court's decision regarding its jurisdiction to hear an application for the revocation of a patent in a case against Sun Electric Pte Ltd. The Court of Appeal of Singapore allowed the appeal, holding that the High Court has original jurisdiction to determine the validity of a patent when the application for revocation is brought as a counterclaim in infringement proceedings. The court clarified the circumstances under which the High Court can order the revocation of a patent.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Court of Appeal of the Republic of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Allowed

1.3 Case Type

Intellectual Property

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

The Court of Appeal held that the High Court has original jurisdiction to hear patent revocation applications brought as a counterclaim in infringement proceedings.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Sun Electric Pte LtdRespondent, PlaintiffCorporationAppeal DismissedLost
Sunseap Group Pte LtdAppellant, DefendantCorporationAppeal AllowedWon
Sunseap Energy Pte LtdAppellant, DefendantCorporationAppeal AllowedWon
Sunseap Leasing Pte LtdAppellant, DefendantCorporationAppeal AllowedWon

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Tay Yong KwangJudge of AppealYes
Andrew Phang Boon LeongJudge of AppealNo
Judith PrakashJudge of AppealNo
Steven ChongJudge of AppealNo
Belinda Ang Saw EanJudgeNo

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Chan WenqiangRavindran Associates LLP
Ravindran s/o MuthucumarasamyRavindran Associates LLP
Jevon LouisRavindran Associates LLP
Leow JiaminRajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Lau Kok KengRajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Lauw Yu AnRajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Nicholas LynwoodRajah & Tann Singapore LLP

4. Facts

  1. Sun Electric Pte Ltd commenced a suit against Sunseap Group Pte Ltd, Sunseap Energy Pte Ltd, and Sunseap Leasing Pte Ltd for patent infringement.
  2. Sun Electric Pte Ltd claimed that the Appellants infringed eight claims in the Patent.
  3. The Appellants denied the allegations of infringement, asserting the invalidity of the Patent.
  4. The Appellants sought a declaration that the Patent is invalid and an order that the Patent be revoked.
  5. The Respondent filed an application to strike out portions of the Defence and Counterclaim and the Particulars of Objection.
  6. The Assistant Registrar held that revocation proceedings could be commenced in the High Court at first instance, particularly where infringement proceedings are already before the High Court and revocation proceedings are brought by way of counterclaim.
  7. The Judge concluded that the High Court has no original jurisdiction to hear and determine revocation proceedings.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Sunseap Group Pte Ltd & 2 Ors v Sun Electric Pte Ltd, Civil Appeal No 190 of 2017, [2019] SGCA 04
  2. Sun Electric Pte Ltd v Sunseap Group Pte Ltd and others, , [2017] SGHC 232
  3. Sun Electric Pte Ltd v Sunseap Group Pte Ltd and others, , [2017] SGHCR 6
  4. ASM Assembly Automation Pte Ltd v Aurigin Technology Pte Ltd and others, , [2010] 1 SLR 1
  5. Re Nalpon Zero Geraldo Mario, , [2013] 3 SLR 258
  6. Lee Tat Cheng v Maka GPS Technologies Pte Ltd, , [2017] 3 SLR 1334
  7. Murakami Takako (executrix of the estate of Takashi Murakami Suroso, deceased) v Wiryadi Louise Maria and others, , [2007] 4 SLR(R) 565

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Singapore Patent Application No 10201405341Y filed
Patent granted
Sun Electric Pte Ltd commenced Suit No 1221 of 2016
Particulars of Objection dated
Summons No 1221 of 2017 filed
Assistant Registrar delivered decision on SUM 1221
Judgment reserved
Judgment delivered

7. Legal Issues

  1. Jurisdiction of the High Court to hear patent revocation applications
    • Outcome: The Court of Appeal held that the High Court has original jurisdiction to hear patent revocation applications brought as a counterclaim in infringement proceedings.
    • Category: Jurisdictional
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Original jurisdiction
      • Appellate jurisdiction
      • In rem jurisdiction
      • In personam jurisdiction
  2. Validity of Patent Claims
    • Outcome: The court did not rule on the substantive validity of the patent claims, but clarified the procedure for challenging validity in infringement proceedings.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Novelty
      • Inventive step
      • Insufficiency

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Declaration that the Patent is invalid
  2. Order that the Patent be revoked
  3. Declaration that the acts complained of do not constitute infringement
  4. Injunction
  5. Damages
  6. Costs
  7. Interest

9. Cause of Actions

  • Patent Infringement
  • Application for Revocation of Patent

10. Practice Areas

  • Patent Litigation
  • Intellectual Property
  • Commercial Litigation

11. Industries

  • Energy
  • Technology

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Sun Electric Pte Ltd v Sunseap Group Pte Ltd and othersHigh CourtYes[2017] SGHC 232SingaporeCited for the High Court's holding that it lacks original jurisdiction to hear applications for patent revocation.
ASM Assembly Automation Pte Ltd v Aurigin Technology Pte Ltd and othersHigh CourtYes[2010] 1 SLR 1SingaporeCited as an example of a case where the defendant successfully revoked a patent in an infringement action.
Re Nalpon Zero Geraldo MarioCourt of AppealYes[2013] 3 SLR 258SingaporeCited for the propositions distinguishing between a court's jurisdiction and its powers.
Lee Tat Cheng v Maka GPS Technologies Pte LtdCourt of AppealYes[2017] 3 SLR 1334SingaporeCited to define dependent claims.
Murakami Takako (executrix of the estate of Takashi Murakami Suroso, deceased) v Wiryadi Louise Maria and othersCourt of AppealYes[2007] 4 SLR(R) 565SingaporeCited as an example that in rem judgments may arise other than through the court’s exercise of its in rem jurisdiction.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5, 2014 Rev Ed) O 18 r 19
Patents Rules (Cap 221, R 1, 2007 Rev Ed) rr 80–81

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Patents Act (Cap 221, 2005 Rev Ed)Singapore
Patents Act (Cap 221, 2005 Rev Ed) s 67Singapore
Patents Act (Cap 221, 2005 Rev Ed) s 80Singapore
Patents Act (Cap 221, 2005 Rev Ed) s 82Singapore
Patents Act (Cap 221, 2005 Rev Ed) s 91Singapore
Supreme Court of Judicature Act (Cap 322, 2007 Rev Ed) s 16Singapore
Patents Act 1994 (Act 21 of 1994)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Patent
  • Revocation
  • Infringement
  • Jurisdiction
  • Counterclaim
  • Original jurisdiction
  • In rem jurisdiction
  • In personam jurisdiction
  • Validity
  • Asserted Claims
  • Unasserted Claims

15.2 Keywords

  • Patent
  • Revocation
  • Jurisdiction
  • Infringement
  • Singapore
  • High Court
  • Court of Appeal

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Patents90
Intellectual Property Law80
Jurisdiction60
Litigation40
Appellate Practice30

16. Subjects

  • Intellectual Property
  • Patents
  • Civil Procedure
  • Jurisdiction