The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has announced certain changes to IP practices, as well as a general increase in official fees. The pertinent changes, which will take effect from April 29, 2022, are highlighted below: Official fees Trademark application fees will be increased from the current S$341 to S$380, while renewal fees have […]
Tag: IPOS
Late filing of evidence in a trademark opposition proceeding, pardoned!
This matter pertains to registration of the mark “BEABA” at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) filed under No. 40201909817Y in the name Biba (Zhejiang) Nursing Products Co., Ltd. (the applicant), and an opposition thereto by BEABA (the opponent). The issue surrounds a late request for an extension of time to file evidence by […]
“Provision of news” (Circular No. 5/2020, dated 18 May 2020)
On 18th May 2020, The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) issued its Circular No. 5/2020 superseding its earlier Circular No. 19/2004 dated 3 September 2004 with immediate effect. Circular No.19/2004 stated that for applications lodged on or after 10 September 2004, the Registrar would not accept a specification consisting of the item “provision of […]
New Singapore Patent Fast Track Programme to Accelerate Patent Prosecution Timeframe
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) in its continuing effort to expand support to innovators, launched a new programme named the “SG Patent Fast Track” on 4 May 2020 to replace the existing patent acceleration programmes, namely FinTech Fast Track and Accelerated Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (“AI2”), which ceased on 25 April 2020 and […]
Southeast Asia Update
A roundup of the newsworthy mentions in the Southeast Asian from the first quarter of 2020. Singapore Snagging the headlines in Singapore early March, on top of the COVID-19 coverage, is the nomination of IPOS’ current Chief Executive, Mr Daren Tang, by WIPO’s Coordination Committee, for the position of WIPO Director General. His nomination is […]
Singapore Swings
Following big policy changes in 2019, the time is right to look at IP developments in this fast-evolving country. For the intellectual property field in Singapore, 2019 was an exciting year, with new policies to promote Singapore as an IP hub and legislative reforms leading the charge in opening up new areas of opportunity. For […]
UPDATES TO THE TRADEMARK REGISTRY’S CLASSIFICATION PRACTICES – SERVICE CLASSES
(Circular No. 1/2020, dated 06 January 2020) An update on the classification practices on a number of descriptions/specifications pertaining to service classes was recently announced by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) vide Circular No. 1/2020 dated 6 January 2020. This circular is effective immediately and supersedes directions under previous circulars, affecting retail services; […]
Revisiting long-established concepts on independent and dependent patent claims in Singapore
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore has recently announced in its newsletter dated August 14, 2019, that the current practice of examining independent and dependent claims as provided in the Examination Guidelines for Patent Applications (April 2019 version) continues to be in force. This newsletter has been circulated in the light of feedback received by […]
Amendments to the Copyright Act in Singapore
The Ministry of Law and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) published the Singapore Copyright Review Report recommending wide-ranging amendments to the Copyright Act in January 2019. These proposals come on the back of a three-year review and public consultation period which began in August 2016 and represents a much-needed update to the act. […]
Singapore: International Property Rights Index 2019
Singapore’s International Property Rights Index has risen and the country has achieved a 2nd ranking in the Asia and Oceania region and a 4th ranking worldwide for the year 2019. International Property Rights Index (IPRI) The IPRI is an index that measures the status of property rights globally. The IPRI score is indicative of the […]