IPOS: Launch of Patents Formalities Manual

Recently, Singapore’s IP regime has seen a rapid growth and is gradually becoming Intellectual Property centre/hub in entire Asia. To strengthen its Patent regime, few days back, [3] the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), on 24 Jul 2017 launched a ‘Patents Open Dossier” [1] to provide a single point of access for innovators enabling them to access published patent documents. The POD provides easy access to the applicant as well as the third party to keep track of patent applications, amongst other services.

Further, on 1 August 2017 IPOS [2] launched an online “Patents Formalities Manual” as part of their ongoing efforts to update their practices for helping inventors/innovators on their patent applications and improve on the turnaround time for the application process. This manual can be accessed by general public through the online portal of IPOS https://www.ipos.gov.sg/ [4]. This manual provides set of guidelines detailing the Registry’s practices, procedures and requirements for Patent applications and national phase entry for International applications, in Singapore. The “Patents Formalities Manual” is designed to provide the applicants with a better understanding of the procedures for applying a patent application under the Singapore patents act & rules as well as the procedure for applying as a national phase entry of the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT).

Out of many others, the “Patents Formalities Manual” is the most recent step taken by IPOS in enhancing the user experience for their applicants or other stakeholders by aiming to improving the filing accuracy in their patent applications with the IP office and address issues encountered during patent application process.

Patent applicants can refer to the manual on ‘https://www.ipos.gov.sg/resources/patent’ [5] for the most current practices. On this page, the applicants can access all the necessary & relevant documents which are related to filing for a patent in Singapore. The applicants may also refer to the manual to help in their filing process. Some of the documents are:

• Forms & Fees For Filing In Singapore
• PCT Forms & Fees
• Guidelines and Useful Information
• Circulars
• Practice Directions

References:

[3]https://www.ipos.gov.sg/docs/default-source/about-ipos-doc/full-report_update-to-ip-hub-master-plan_final.pdf?sfvrsn=2

[4]https://www.ipos.gov.sg/

[5] https://www.ipos.gov.sg/resources/patent

Author: ShilpiSaxena, Jr. Patent Associate at Khurana & Khurana Advocates and IP Attorneys can be reached at [email protected].