Characteristics of the invention patent application process in Singapore

Formal examination: IPOS will conduct formality examination first after receiving the patent application and the application fee of S$170 . After passing the preliminary examination, the application date will be determined. Those who do not meet the formality examination need to overcome the defects within 2 months after receiving the correction notice from IPOS. Formal examination includes examination of whether there are any missing priority information, description and drawings of the description, etc.

Publication: A patent application is published 18 months from the filing date/priority date, and the applicant may request early publication.

Search and substantive examination: The applicant can choose three ways to submit a search request and substantive examination, and submit a substantive examination request within 36 months from the filing date at the latest, and pay the corresponding fee. IPOS will examine patent applications for novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. Applicants with search results from other countries can take advantage of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) and ASEAN Patent Examination Cooperation (ASPEC) procedures to obtain patent rights in Singapore more quickly and efficiently. If there are no deficiencies to overcome, the patent application will be granted. If the applicant cannot resolve the issue within 18 months from the date of the first written opinion, the patent application will be rejected.