The island city-state of Singapore lies at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula. With a population of 4.5 million people, Singapore ranks as the 22nd wealthiest nation in the world boasting a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$138.6 billion, with a per capita of US$30,900. Singapore has excellent infrastructure for protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights. The nation is ranked No. 1 in Asia Pacific for IP enforcement (Source: World Economic Forum).
| Major international treaties signed |
Patent Co-operation Treaty
Paris Convention
Budapest Treaty |
| Costs of obtaining a patent |
Please contact us at singapore@mirandah.com |
| Average time to obtain a patent |
12 – 30 months from PCT national phase entry
42 – 60 months from priority date for Paris Convention applications |
| Official language for patent prosecution |
English |
| Non-patentable subject matter |
- Abstract ideas
- Discoveries or scientific theories
- Mathematical formulae
- Methods of doing mental acts
- Methods of medical treatment and diagnostic methods
|
| Grace period for pre-filing sale or public disclosure |
Not available |
|
Major prosecution events (time from priority date) |
| Request for search |
: |
13 months |
| Request for Examination |
: |
21 months |
| National phase entry |
: |
30 months |
| Payment of grant fees |
: |
42 months |
| Renewals (after grant) |
: |
every year | |
| Extension of deadlines |
18 months for Search and Examination events
3 months for most other deadlines |
| Pharmaceutical Data Exclusivity Laws |
In force |
| Parallel Imports |
Allowable |
| Term of patent |
20 years |
| Patent term extension |
Available |
| Restoration of lapsed patent |
Within 30 months from the date of lapse |
| Search and Examination |
Local examination of patents is not compulsory. Search and examination reports established in other countries or during PCT international phase can be relied upon for the purpose of patent grant in Singapore |
| Other forms of patents (e.g. petty/innovation patents) |
Not available |
| Useful links |
www.mirandah.com
www.ipos.gov.sg |
| Infringement offence |
Civil and Criminal (in special cases) |
| Any specialized courts for IP |
No |
| Outline of the enforcement steps |
(i) Notice of Cease and Desist
(ii) Infringement lawsuit |
| Relief against groundless threats |
Available |
| Declaration of non-infringement |
Available |
| Preliminary injunctions |
Available |
| Time frame for various legal actions |
(i) Revocation - 1 to 2 years
(ii) Infringement proceeding - 2 to 3 years |
| Alternative dispute resolution |
(i) Mediation
(ii) Arbitration |
| Availability of damages and other relief for infringement |
(i) Injunction
(ii) Loss of revenue
(iii) Account of profits |
In Singapore, a patent application shall proceed to grant even if the requirements for patentability are not met. The system puts the onus on the applicant to ensure that the patent claims meet patentability requirements e.g. novelty, inventive step, industrial applicability and unity of invention. Amendments can be filed at any time before grant of the patent. Post-grant amendments are allowed only at the discretion of the Registrar.
Most of the patent prosecution deadlines are extendable. Extension of time up to 3 months is available as of right.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is intended to serve as a general guideline and is not intended as legal advice. The information is correct at the time of printing.