19,000 Adult Diapers Seized — Then Donated

In December 2025, Ghows LLC supported an initiative that transformed what is typically a standard enforcement endpoint into an outcome with tangible community benefit. Working with the Singapore Police Force’s Intellectual Property Rights Branch (“IPRB”), over 19,000 packs of adult incontinence diapers bearing our client’s registered trade mark were seized.

In most enforcement matters, the fate of seized goods is straightforward: destruction to protect brand integrity and to prevent re-entry into circulation. Here, however, the nature of the seized items mattered. Adult incontinence products are essential personal care items. Handled responsibly, they can serve the elderly and infirm – without undermining trade mark rights.With our client’s consent as well as that of the accused person from whom the goods were seized, and in cooperation with the relevant authorities, the seized goods were released for charitable donation instead of destruction, under safeguards designed to protect our client’s rights and prevent diversion.

A solution of this kind was not achieved by good intentions alone. It required a practical framework that balanced (1) brand protection (2) legal and procedural requirements and (3) real-world logistics.

In close coordination with the IPRB and with guidance from the relevant authorities, arrangements were made to repurpose the seized goods for charitable donation. The release was carried out subject to formal undertakings and conditions provided by the recipient charities to safeguard our client’s trade mark rights and to ensure the items were used strictly for charitable purposes – with no resale, diversion, or re-entry into commercial circulation.

Learning from the Experience

One practical misconception about enforcement is that seizure marks the finish line. In reality, it often marks the point where complexity begins – particularly where multiple stakeholders are involved and the seized goods must be managed responsibly pending resolution.

In this matter, a central challenge was the complete non-responsiveness of the infringers. Key individuals could not be contacted and ceased engaging in settlement discussions, causing matters to stagnate.

Where infringers remain unresponsive and cooperative approaches fail, rights holders may have little choice but to resort to procedural escalation to resolve the fate of the seized goods. Such steps are not taken lightly, but they may be necessary to prevent rights holders from being effectively held hostage by prolonged inaction. Trade mark enforcement rarely follow a neat, linear path; effective enforcement requires disciplined strategy, persistence, and a willingness to adapt as circumstances evolve.

Another key learning was the importance of close and constructive engagement with both the IPRB and the Courts throughout the matter. Regular engagement with IPRB officers proved critical in managing practical issues associated with seized goods and extended proceedings.

Doing Good Together – without compromising enforcement objectives

The donation drive stands as a testament to what can be achieved when law firms, enforcement agencies, and brand owners work with both rigour and humanity.

We thank our clients for their principled leadership and collaboration, the IPRB for their professionalism, and the charitable organisations and volunteers who made this initiative possible. Their efforts ensured that thousands of donated diapers brought dignity and comfort where it was most needed.

Key takeaways for rights holders

This experience reinforced several practical points for rights holders :

• Plan beyond the seizure. The operational and procedural issues that follow seizure can be as important as the initial enforcement action.
• Non-responsive infringers can dictate timing if you let them. Consider early how you will manage stalling behaviour and what escalation options exist to reach a resolution.

At Ghows LLC, we remain committed to advancing intellectual property protection in ways that deliver strong, practical outcomes for clients – while remaining thoughtful about resource use, proportionality, and the broader community impact where circumstances allow.