Singapore Flashcards
What types of patents are there and what are there terms?
Standard patent only with US-style patent term adjustment for IPOS delays.
Is there a grace period?
Yes - 1 year for applicant or abusive disclosures.
Are business methods, computer programs and methods of treatment patentable?
Business methods and computer programs: yes
Methods of treatment: no
Search and substantive examination is not done by IPOS. Who does it?
The Austrian, Hungarian or Danish patent offices.
What are the minimum conditions of a filing date?
If not claiming priority, the application must contain: an indication that a patent is sought, applicant details, and something which appears to be a description.
If claiming priority, the application must contain: an indication that a patent is sought, applicant details, an indication that priority is claimed, the date and country of the priority filing, and a statement that the specification is wholly contained within the priority document.
When is the filing fee due?
Within one month of filing.
Is there an obligation to first file at the national office?
Yes, but a licence can be obtained to first file overseas.
Are there excess claim fees?
Yes for claims over 20. They are payable when requesting examination and on grant.
When is the first renewal fee due?
4 years from filing.
What are the language requirements?
The filing can be in any language, but an English translation must be provided within 2 months.
Are MDCs allowed?
Yes.
When must the priority declaration be made?
On filing with the country and date of each priority document stated. Certified copies do not need to be filed. However, the application number of each document must be filed within 16 months of priority.
Which restoration of priority criterion is used?
All due care.
Is the NP deadline 30 or 31 months?
30
Can be extended by 18 months with payment of fee.
An English translation is required on filing.
Summarise the examination process.
There are two approaches for local search and examination (NB the foreign-only route was abolished in 2020).
In the all-local approach, the applicant can request search within 13 months from priority and examination within 36 months of priority, or they can request combined search and examination within 36 months with a cheaper combined fee.
The examination procedure lasts 18 months and includes at least one written opinion with a 5 month deadline. A further written opinion with a further five month deadline may be issued at the Examiner’s discretion.
At the end of the 18 months either a notice of allowance or of intention to refuse is issued. If the latter, the applicant may apply for a review of the examination report within 2 months. If a final notice of refusal is issued, the applicant has 2 months to file a divisional.
If the report is positive, the applicant has two months to pay the fees.
In the combination approach, everything is the same except there is no search request. Instead, the search report of a corresponding international application is used. Search reports issued by the UK, the EPO, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or South Korea are all acceptable (basically all Western countries + Japan and South Korea).
