SINGAPORE — In case you haven’t seen it yet, a letter from the arts community (artists and members of the public) has been circulating in reaction to the ongoing ping pong table issue involving Singaporean artist Lee Wen and his Ping-Pong Go Round artwork and the “horse shoe-shaped ping pong table” at the SEA Games carnival over the weekend. Here’s the letter again, this time with the 229 signatories (which is practically the same length as the letter!).

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CALL FOR DISCOURSE ON IP AND ARTISTIC PRACTICES

We refer to the incident in which a horse shoe-shaped ping-pong table installed at the Sports Hub for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games carnival resembled the art work “Ping-Pong Go Round” by Cultural Medallion winner Lee Wen.

Lee has stated he was not informed or given credit for the idea. The SEA Games Organising Committee has claimed that there was no intention to infringe on any rights, and that a vendor who was unaware of the similarity proposed the activity.

However, Lee has clarified that a proposal to exhibit this art work in front of the Sports Hub was submitted to both the Minister of Culture, Community and Youth and Sports Hub in 2014. The Minister’s office confirmed receipt of this proposal. Furthermore, since 1998, this installation has toured widely around the world.

We understand the installation has since been dismantled and discussions are currently ongoing between all relevant parties.

We hope that an amicable outcome can be reached so Lee’s art can continue to engage the public. This is a good example of how art can enliven spaces and connect strangers to one another in fun and imaginative ways. Such projects illustrate the endless possibilities art can bring to make Singapore a more attractive place, and should be encouraged.

It is troubling however that due consideration and acknowledgement were not initially given to the artist. We are also concerned that the intellectual property (IP) lawyers consulted in the Straits Times’ article “Ping-pong table too similar to artwork?” (5 June 2015) felt no copyright had been infringed.

This incident highlights the lack of sufficient measures that respect and protect artistic creation in Singapore. In a nation that has been consistently ranked by international surveys as having one of the best IP protection laws in the world, why did this incident occur? Even if it was legal, is it ethical?

This incident raises questions about the environment for creativity and original content creation in Singapore – key outputs desired by national policies that have been calling for Singapore to become a knowledge economy powered by innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Given its importance, we feel that more can be done to encourage, respect and protect content creation. The government has made tremendous efforts in growing and professionalising the arts. Unfortunately, limited understanding of artists’ rights and standard industry practices remains. Capability development and nurturing a culture of creativity means that artists should be given legitimate recognition and reward for the time and effort that they spend on proposing and creating art works, with the assurance that their ideas and creations are protected from plagiarism and imitation.

Moving forward, we hope this incident will inspire more discussion on IP in the arts, and concrete steps can be taken towards according clearer IP protection for arts and cultural workers.

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SIGNATORIES

Aaron Khek Ah Hock, Abdul Hamid, Adeline Chia Hui Ting, Adeline Kueh, Adrian Heok Kay Heng, Alfian Bin Sa’at, Alvin Tan Cheong Kheng, Andre Goh Ming Hui, Ang Chong Leong, Ang Gey Pin, Ang Song Nian, Angeline Lee, Angie Sim, Annie Kwan, Anthony Chen Zheyi, Anthony Goh Jwee Kiat, Audi Khalid, Audrey Wong, Bianca Cornelia Geertruida Polak, Boo Junfeng, Brendon Fernandez, Brenton Wong Kok Leong,

Calvin Soh Wye Ann, Casey Lim, Catherine Lim Suat Hong, Celine Lim Su-Fen, Chan Li Shan, Chan Sze-Wei, Chan Wei-yin Jaclyn, Charles Lim, Charmaine Toh, Cheah En Wei John, Chelsea Chua, Chew Kheng Chuan, Chia QiLong Andy, Chia Sin Chiat, Chng Wei Jie, Ivan, Chong Ja Ian, Choo Zheng Xi, Chua Lian Choon (Richard), Chong Li-Chuan, Chong Teck Seng Oliver, Chong Tze Chien, Christine Chia Yueh Chin, Christopher Justin Wee Wan-ling, Christopher Khor Qi Yao, Chun Kaifeng, Chun Kaiqun, Chuang Xiu’Er, Clare Yong, Colin Goh Yong Ping, Cyril Wong Yit Mun, Dahlia Osman, Dan Koh, Dana Lam Yoke Kiew, Daniel Goh Pei Siong, Deusa Blumke,

Edmund Wee, Edward Choy Keng Choong, Elizabeth Lim, Eng Kai Er, Eugene Tan Siah Yew, Fadzlee Ahmad, Faris Basharahil, Fiona Lee, Fong Hoe Fang, Gaurav Kripalani, Gwee Li Sui, Han Xuemei, Harris Jahim, Haslinda Abdul Rahman, He Shuming, Helmi Yusof, Heman Chong, Heng Liang Ngim, Ho Catherine, Ho Tzu Nyen, Ho Xi Huei Vanessa, Hoe Su Fern,

Ian Woo Yew Kong, Ivan Heng Ai Jin, Izmir Ickbal, Jay Yao, Jack Sim Juek Wah, James Jordan Tay, Jane M. Shishido, Janice Koh Yu-Mei, Jasmine Ng Kin Kia, Jeremy Chu Chan Peng, Jeremy Jeyam Samuel (Jeremy Tiang), Jessica Anne Rahardjo, Jessica Chua, Jimmy Ong Boon Ching, Jolene Tan, Juria Toramae, K Rajagopal, Kamil Iqbal Haque, Kamini Ramachandran, Kathryn Kng Poey Choo, Kea Boon Ming Earl, Kelvin Lim, Kelvin Tong Weng Kian, Kenneth Chia Jin Hui, Kevin Chua, Khoo Guo Jie, Koh Hui Ling, Koh Jee Leong, Kok Heng Leun, Kok Yik Leng Daniel, Kuo Jian Hong, Kwek Yi Qing Sonia,

Lai Chee Kien, Lam Hoi Lit, Lee Gim Lay, Lee Gwo Yinn, Lee Mun Fatt, David, Lee Tee Keong Kenneth, Lee Wai Loon, Kris, Lee Wen, Leong May Yen, Liao Jiekai, Lim Jialiang, Lim Joshua Jonathan, Lim Kay Siu, Lim Siauw Chong, Lin Shiyun, Lina Adam, Lindy Poh, Lisa Li, Lisa Marie Tan Li ShiangLoo Zihan, Low Yuen Wei, Lucy Davis, Lynn Charlotte Lu, Mahita Vas, Mandy Tan, Marcia Annelise Vanderstraaten, Marcia Lee Tjie Yi, Mark Chan Kok Wah, Mark Chen Yong Chung, Mark Joyce, Meena Mylvaganam, Melinda M. Lee, Melissa Lim May Lin, Mervyn Quek Sze Yon, Michael Cheng Seow Wee, Michele Low, Michelle Lim Seok Ling, Ming Poon, Misháal Bin Syed Nasar, Mok Cui Yin,

Ng Swee San, Ng Yi-Sheng, Ngiam Su-Lin, Nicola Anthony, Noor Effendy Ibrahim, Nora A. Taylor, Norasnidah Binte Abdullah, Ong Boon Kok Bendini Junior, Ong Keng Sen, Ong Soh Chin, Otto Fong Yong Chin, Pang Ly-Shan, Patrick Ong Boon Heng, Philip Holden, Prvacki Delia, Prvacki Milenko, Rachel Zeng, Ray Langenbach, Rebekah Anthony, Redzuan Salleh, Renny Normala, Roy Payamal, Royston Tan, Sam Ng Sung Hian, Samuel Woo Junhao, Seng Yu Jin, Serene Yap, Sharmeen Nina Chabra, Shirley Soh, Siew Kum Hong, Sim Mui Ting, Joyce, Sim Yan Ying, Simon Ng Yong Heng, Sinead Tan Jia Na, Siti Hawa Bte Ahmad Yussof, Soh Wee Leong Billy,

Tania De Rozario, Tan Han Wei Brendan, Tan Hwee Kwan Karen, Tan Keng Ing Kirsten, Tan Lee San Theresa, Tan Ngiap Heng, Tan Pin Pin, Tan Qian Yi Moses, Tan Shao Han, Tan Si Min Josephine, Tan Si Peng Terence, Tan Wee Joo, Tan Wei Chuen Adele, Tay Liang Xuan Bridget, Tay Siew Hui Verena, Tay Tong, Teo Kah Yen Abel, Teo Liak Theng, Terence Lau Kah Wai, Thirunalan Sasitharan, Thng Hui Hien, Timothy Julian Nga U On, Tse Hao Guang,

Vincent Lim Chew Meng, Vivian Wang, Wang Liansheng, Wee Han Chong Jason, Wee Li Lin, Wong Chee Meng, Wong Kwang Han, Wong May Ee, Woon Tien Wei, Yap Ching Wi, Yang Jian, Yeo Yann Yann, Yuen Chee Wai, Yuen Yee Foong, Yvonne Lee, Zai Kuning, Zhao Renhui, Zizi Azah Binte Abdul Majid, Zulkarnain Hassan.