INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUES WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Building information modelling holds a lot of promise for the AEC sector, in that it will bring the industry into the digital age. However, as with all novel creations, it comes with its own sets of implications, one of them being intellectual property rights issues. This paper aims to provide a clear idea of the impact of a large-scale implementation of BIM models on the intellectual property rights of various stakeholders in a construction project in Singapore and how to address the identified issues. This will be undertaken through a clear and concise description of how building information models and their features will pose legal issues, which will be followed by an analysis of how IP rights are currently being applied in law. The latter will be complemented through a research into IP rights statutes, case laws and provisions in standard forms of contracts. The objective is to gauge how the current paradigm in IP rights is unsuitable to deal with the implications that BIM will pose. The final aspect of this research thesis is to propose solutions to the problems identified through the abovementioned undertakings. It will involve extensive research on BIM protocols, BIM-centric standard forms of contract, amendments to building regulations and other methods being employed around the world to tackle the impact that BIM models will have on IP rights issues. Only after such a systematic review will we be in a position to propose solutions to the local construction industry.