Novelty and inventive step are the essential requirements for the grant of a patent . In an interesting development, the High Court of Delhi, in Avery Dennison Corporation v. Controller of Patents and Designs, CA. 29/2021, has reiterated that the simplicity of an invention should not deter the grant of a patent. Factual matrix: An […]
Philippines – Revision in Patent Rules
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) issued a Memorandum Circular No. 2022-016 on “Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations for Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs of 2022” (IRR’2022) which took effect from 20 September 2022. A summary of the relevant amendments to the Rules and Regulations on patents are highlighted as follows. 1. […]
Singapore Patent – Obviousness of Error
A recent decision of the High Court of Singapore has set a precedent for correcting data included in a specification of an application for a patent. In an appeal case between Nippon Shinyaku Co, Ltd and the Registrar of Patents, the High Court has reversed the decision of the Registrar rejecting a proposed correction to […]
IPOS Extended the SG IP Fast Track Programme for Another 2 Years and Ended the 12 Months File-To-Grant Programme from 30 April 2022
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has recently extended their existing examination acceleration programme for patents, SG IP Fast Track Programme, for another 2 years from 30 April 2022 until 30 April 2024, to give enterprises a competitive advantage as Singapore and the world reopen from the Covid-19 pandemic. Concurrently, however, IPOS has terminated […]
Medical use claims in ASEAN countries
Singapore Under Section 16 of the Singapore Patents Act, “an invention of a method of treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy or of diagnosis practised on the human or animal body is not taken to be capable of industrial application.” However, first and second medical use claims are allowable in […]
Amendments to Patents Law in Malaysia
The Malaysia Patent Office recently announced amendments to the Patents Act and Regulations, taking effect from 18 March 2022. Highlights of the key amendments are set out as follows: 1. New Section giving effect to Budapest Treaty A new section is introduced to the Patents Act and Regulations giving effect to the Budapest Treaty. The deposit […]
Singapore: Revision in IP practice and official fees from April 29, 2022
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 […]
Changes to Patent Examination Guidelines Concerning Computer- Implemented Invention in Vietnam Effective April 2022
Computer programs are generally known as a set of instructions expressed in the form of source codes, and when being executed by a computer device, are capable of performing a task or achieving a result. In Vietnam, computer programs are recognized as literary works and are protected under the copyright regime. Therefore, computer programs […]
Singapore Patent Office Accepts International Applications filed in Chinese
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”), in its capacity as a receiving Office, International Search Authority (“ISA”), and International Preliminary Examination Authority (“IPEA”) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, accepts international applications filed in the Chinese language. The Patents Rules in Singapore were amended on 1 January 2017 to allow Chinese as a language for […]
IPOS Extended Its Patent Acceleration Initiatives under ASPEC AIM Programme and PPH Programme with China
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has recently extended its two pilot patent acceleration programmes such as the ASPEC Acceleration for Industry 4.0 Infrastructure and Manufacturing Pilot (ASPEC AIM) Programme until 26 August 2023, and the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) agreement with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) until 31 August 2026, in […]