Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam as ASEAN Member States have launched an ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC) programme. It is the first regional patent co-operation programme which commenced on 15 June 2009. Brunei Darussalam has since joined the programme on 1 January 2012.
The purpose of this programme is to share search and examination results between the participating offices to allow applicants in participating countries to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently. The programme will potentially reduce duplication on the search and examination work done, thereby saving time and effort. Additionally, search and examination work done on a corresponding application serves as a useful reference in producing quality reports.
As part of a regular review of the ASPEC programme, a revision was made and the ASPEC programme will now operate in the English language in all participating ASEAN IP Offices. The ASPEC Request Form has also been revised.
Links to other participating ASEAN Member States:
For enquiries relating to the ASPEC programme, please e-mail Mr Eric Toh at Eric Toh@ipos.gov.sg or Ms Sandra Merinda at Sandra_Lynn Merinda@ipos.gov.sg with the subject heading "ASPEC Programme". Alternatively, you may contact IPOS at (65) 6339 8616.