IPOS launches new patent/trademark accelerated examination program

On May 7, 2025, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) issued a notice announcing that the new patent accelerated examination program will be officially implemented on May 20, 2025, replacing the SG IP FAST pilot program that ended on December 31, 2024. In the new patent accelerated examination project:

• SG Patents Fast: IPOS will receive the first examination opinion within 4-8 months
• SG Trade Marks Fast: IPOS will receive the first review report within 3-6 weeks

Introduction to SG Patents Fast Program

• For patent applications approved by the SG Patents Fast 4 program, applicants can receive the first examination opinion in about 4 months. For patent applications approved by the SG Patents Fast 8 program, applicants can receive the first examination opinion within 8 months.

To apply for SG Patents Fast to accelerate the examination, the following conditions must be met:

• Non-divisional application
• A patent application may contain up to 20 claims
• Each entity (individual or company) may request up to five expedited examinations per month.

Required documents:

• Form 11 (Request for Search and Examination Report); or
• Form 12 (Request for Substantive Examination) and
• Pay the accelerated examination fee:
  • SG Patents Fast 4 Fees:
    • Patent application with accelerated search and examination request (PF11): S$1,800
    • Application for accelerated examination (PF12): S$1,200
    • Application for accelerated response to office action (PF13A): S$150
  • SG Patents Fast 8 Fees:
    • Application for accelerated search and examination (PF11): S$900
    • Application for accelerated examination (PF12): S$600
    • Application for accelerated response to office action (PF13A): S$150

Introduction to SG Trade Marks Fast Program

For trademark applications that receive SG Trade Marks Fast accelerated review, applicants will receive the first examination report within 3-6 weeks from the date of application. Applicants do not need to have relevant patent applications; nor do they need to fully adopt the pre-approved goods and services descriptions in the IPOS classification database.

To apply for SG Trade Marks Fast, the following conditions must be met:

• Form 4
• Not a certification mark or collective mark
• Pay the accelerated examination fee. For trademark applications with multiple classes, the accelerated request will automatically apply to all classes in the application.
  • For classes that fully adopt the pre-approved goods and services descriptions in the IPOS classification database: S$200 per class
  • For classes that partially or do not adopt the pre-approved goods and services descriptions in the IPOS classification database: S$250 per class for accelerated request

In addition, patent and trademark accelerated examination fees are eligible for fee reductions or eligible companies can list accelerated examination fees as expenses to offset their innovation costs.