Gilbert Leong

Practice Areas

Gilbert Leong is a senior partner and Head of Dentons Rodyk's Intellectual Property and Technology practice group. He is also Co-Head of the Patents, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Licensing, Data Privacy & Protection and Cybersecurity practices.

As commercial and IP counsel, Gilbert has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting commercial agreements in relation to distribution of goods/services, procurement and tenders, manufacturing arrangements, licensing, maintenance, acquisition of intellectual property such as trademark and patents, consultancy services and IP structuring. Gilbert's IP litigation experience includes copyright (software) suits, patent infringements as well as obtaining and executing search & seizure warrants. Additionally, he has prosecuted parties under a fiat from the Attorney General for offences under both the Trade Marks Act and Copyright Act. Gilbert also attends to hearings before the Trade Mark registry.

Leading the Technology practice, Gilbert provides counsel and advice to clients when they acquire IT hardware / systems, develop and market software or when they put out tenders for large scale IT / outsourcing projects. He has assisted clients in formulating and executing E and M commerce strategies and other kinds of Internet related transactions. In recent years, Gilbert has also been involved in fintech, insuretech and medtech matters, drafting terms of use as well as collaboration agreements to enable clients to achieve their objectives whilst protecting their interests. He has also been counsel to parties involved in the telecommunication industry. In particular, he has advised on disputes arising between telecommunication licensees, application for licences, market access and infrastructural issues.

Gilbert has also been very active in the field of data privacy/protection matters and is a pioneer in this field. As a member of the Legal Sub-Committee of the National Internet Advisory Committee, Gilbert participated in the drafting of the "Model Data Protection Code for the Private Sector" years before the legislation was enacted in Singapore to protect personal data. Gilbert has helped large financial institutions / investment funds, healthcare providers, industrial companies, institutions of higher learning and infrastructure providers to navigate data protection laws both at home and abroad. He has also written and spoken widely on the area and is regularly sought for his comments and insights.

Gilbert has experience advising on high impact cyber breach incidents including those affecting major organisations in the insurance, higher education, social media, e-commerce, hotels, financial services, transportation/logistics, IT and telecommunications sectors. He was co-lead counsel to one of the parties involved in proceedings of the Committee of Inquiry which was set up by the Singapore Government to investigate the nation’s highest profile cyber breach.

In addition to his legal qualifications, Gilbert also holds a Certificate in Computer Programming and Information Processing from the City & Guilds of London Institute.

Gilbert is recognised as a leading lawyer for his expertise in many notable publications, including Best Lawyers, Chambers Asia-Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Who's Who Legal. He has been called upon to participate in committees and think tanks which focus on technology related matters and emerging legal issues.

Career

Senior Partner - Dentons Rodyk (1990–1997, 2002–present)

GE Medical Systems (1999–2002)

Baan Company (1997–1999)

Professional Memberships

Singapore Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy Panellist

Member, SAL Law Reform Sub-Committee on AI & Robotics

Publications

Singapore releases discussion paper on the risks associated with Generative Artificial Intelligence

Dentons Rodyk Dialogue 2022

In cases of PDPA breaches, Individuals can now claim for emotional distress against organisations

The Rise and Rise of Ransomware

4 things you need to know about the amended Electronic Transactions Act

5 Further Things You Need to Know About the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill

Client Note

Personal

Gilbert attracts praise for being ‘well versed and knowledgeable of the public healthcare market and IT legal matters’.