Contracting Resources

Protect you and your business through a fair service contract.

1) Tripartite Standards

The Tripartite Standards specify a set of fair and progressive employment practices for service contracts that all service buyers should implement at the workplace.

2) Key Engagement Terms (KETs) for Self-Employed Persons

Clearer obligations and duties foster better working relationships between businesses and SEPs and enable SEPs to provide better services. Having a fair service contract that clearly states the terms of engagement is essential in avoiding disputes.

Create a contract with the Key Engagement Terms (KETs) for Self-Employed Persons developed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), in accordance with the Tripartite Standard on Contracting with SEPs and details the key terms of engagement that should be provided in a written contract.

3) Advocates for the Arts – A legal handbook for the creative industries:

Download the handbook here

Guidebook for persons working in creative industries, in particular, freelancers with better awareness of their legal rights to support their creative endeavours.

4) “I want to be a Freelance Professional” Pocketbook by Law Society Pro Bono Services

The pocketbook provides pointers on the legal rights of freelancers, the terms to include in a freelance contract (including terms on intellectual property and confidential information), the resolution of disputes between freelancers and hirers, claims from third parties, and the liabilities of freelancers and hirers.

5) Copyright 101 for Freelancers

As a creative professional, copyright is at the core of our livelihood. Understand the Copyright Bill 2021 and how it affects you as creator.

Copyright Resources by Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS):
https://www.ipos.gov.sg/about-ip/copyright/copyright-resources

Copyright 101 for Freelancers
Copyright 101 for Freelancers

6) Debunk the Myths of Government Procurement Practices

NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE)’s simplified toolkit will help you gain a better understanding of the process, how to avoid common pitfalls, and compete effectively for Government contracts.

At the “Fair In Freelancing 2017″ the talk by the Ministry of Finance, highlighted that the Government Procurement Process includes these 3 rules:

  • Open and fair competition
  • Transparency
  • Value for money
MOF Trade Fair in Freelancing
Infographic on Government Procurement Practices to Freelancers

Freelancer’s Guide to Government Procurement Practices

7) VICPA-NUS Law Project Dynamic 2022

Project Dynamic is a project that aims to empower groups under the Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) by providing them with the avenue to learn about their contractual rights and liabilities.

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains full of opportunities for creatives. In order to prevent general exploitation, this guide serves to provide some insight to better aid professionals under VICPA in understanding their contractual rights and liabilities.

 

8) Managing Intellectual Property Infringements

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) conducts weekly complimentary IP Legal Clinics and IP Business Clinics services as part of its package of services for Singapore citizens or Permanent residents and/or Singapore registered businesses.

The 45-minute consultation session offers opportunities to seek preliminary advice on

  • Legal matters, namely, IP infringement, opposition, invalidation, or revocation matters before you decide on the next course of action (reimbursable), and

  • IP strategies and options for businesses (free) on areas of expertise including advisory on IP issues in overseas markets, IP Commercialisation, IP Intelligence, Audit and Valuation, and IP Strategy and IP Portfolio Management.

Reporting cases of IP infringement?
Right owners may seek help through their lawyers, or by the Intellectual Property Rights Branch (IPRB) which is under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Singapore Police Force.

IPRB can be contacted at 6435 0000. Alternatively, a police can be lodged via SPF e-Services Police Report.

Unbundling IP Rights and IP Clauses  

At an event titled “Legal Primer on Understanding Your Contractual Rights As A Creative”held on 5 Sep 2024, jointly organised by NTUC UFSE, LawWorks and Pro Bono SG, Mr Jeffrey Lim, an experienced IP lawyer and director at Joyce A. Tan & Partners , presented on the topic of “Unbundling IP Rights and IP Clauses” The abridged slides can be found here


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