Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT)

International Application Entering National Phase in Singapore

For applications with Filing Date on or after 1 July 2004, 

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*Deadline from Date of Filing or declared priority date. By default, the application will be on the fast track. To move to slow track, Patents Form 45A(2004) (no fee) must be filed within 39 months from Date of Filing or declared priority date.

For more information, please refer to the patents infopack under the patents resources page.

1. Applicant requests for Entry into National Phase in SG

Singapore has acceded to both Chapter I and Chapter II of the PCT. An applicant, in his international application with respect to Singapore, has a choice whether to enter the national phase in Singapore under Chapter I or Chapter II.

Patents Form 37 is used for payment of the fee (S$200) for entering the national phase. While optional, applicants are strongly encouraged to use this form. .

If the international application was not filed or published in English at the PCT, a translation of the international application into English must be enclosed.  

2. IPOS conducts national phase entry checks

In general, upon receiving the request for national phase entry IPOS will check that
• Singapore has been designated in the international application.
• The fee for national phase entry is paid, and all required documents (including any necessary English translation of the international application) are filed  within the prescribed period of 30 months

3. IPOS sends Acknowledgment Letter

If all national phase requirements have been complied with, IPOS will issue a Date of Filing Notification.

If the IPOS determines that any of the national phase requirements have not been complied with, a deficiency letter will be issued and the applicant will have 2 months to remedy the deficiencies, failing which the application will be treated as withdrawn.

5. Applicant requests for search & examination
After the application has received the Date of Fling Notification, the applicant may proceed to the search and examination process. The Registry of Patents in Singapore offers three approaches to the search and examination process namely:-
 
(a) “All-local approach”
In the all-local approach, an applicant may request to undergo a combined search-and-examination process.

(b) “All-foreign approach”
In the all-foreign approach, the applicant can rely on their International Preliminary Report on Patentability (IPRP) Chapter I or Chapter II.

Alternatively, the applicant furnishes the Registry of Patents the final search and examination results of a corresponding or corresponding international application.

Under this approach, the applicant does not need to file a further search and examination request with the Registry of Patents in respect of the same invention.

(c) “Combination approach”
In the combination approach, the applicant files an examination request with the Registry of Patents relying on the International Search Report, or the search results of a corresponding or corresponding international application.

Different approaches may be selected depending on the applicants' needs. Applicants should seek the advice of their patent agents on the option that is most suitable for them.

6. IPOS conducts search and examination/ examination & issue report

The search process is essentially a search conducted for all materials and information which are relevant to the subject of the invention. The results of the search are reflected in a search report.

The examination process involves the consideration by an Examiner as to whether the invention qualifies as new, involves an inventive step and is capable of industrial application among other requirements.

If during the examination, the Examiner is of the opinion that the application does not meet the legal requirements, he will issue a written opinion giving the applicant a 5 months non extendable period to respond. A response to the written opinion must be made on Patents Form 13A (no fee) and can be in the form of written submissions on the Examiner's opinion, an amendment of the specification or both. The results of the examination are reflected in an examination report.

7. Applicant requests for issuance of the Certificate of Grant of patent

After completion of the search and examination process, the applicant would have to assess if it is worthwhile to proceed to obtain a grant of a patent. If the applicant chooses to do so, he would then submit a request for the issuance of the Certificate of Grant (Patents Form 14(2004), $200.00 plus $20.00 per claim in excess of 25 claims) within 42 months (fast track) or 60 months (slow track) from Date of Filing or declared priority date.

8. IPOS issues Certificate of Grant

Upon grant, the term of the patent is 20 years from the Date of Filing, subject to the payment of annual renewal fees.

To maintain the patent, the applicant will need to pay an annual renewal fee, starting from the end of the 4th year from the Date of Filing, and every year thereafter, until the patent expires. The renewal is payable within 3 months before the anniversary of the Date of Filing.

In the event that grant was issued after 45 months from date of filing, all renewals due will only be payable within 3 months after the date of grant.

The applicant can renew the patent by submitting Patents Form 15 together with renewal fees. If the applicant have made an entry in the register for Licence of Right, he can renew your patent at half price, using Patents Form 53.

Application Procedure

Your application can be submitted as follows:

1. Apply and pay the appropriate fee via the IPOS ePatents online facility here

OR

2. Download your forms here and send or take your completed application to:

Registry of Patents Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
51 Bras Basah Road
#04-01 Manulife Centre
Singapore 189554

Registry's operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5:30pm Saturday,
Sunday and Public Holiday: CLOSED

Cashier's operating hours:

Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5:00pm

Customer Enquiry Hotline: (65) 6339 8616 Fax : (65) 6339 0252
Email : Click here

Payment can be made by NETS, cashcard, GIRO, cheque (crossed), money order or bank draft (in Singapore dollars) made out to Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. For submission by mail, the application form must be completed and duly signed together with all the required documents and a cheque, money order, bank draft or request for GIRO payment.