Registries Group
The Registries Group comprises:
- Registry of Patents,
- Registry of Trade Marks
- Registry of Designs
- Registry of Plant Varieties
- Customer Service and Information Department
The Registries Group is responsible for granting rights for all registrable Intellectual Property (IP) in Singapore.
The Registries of Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Plant Varieties oversee the administration, processing and registration of patents, trade marks, designs and plant varieties respectively. The Customer Service and Information Department improves and maintains all operational procedures in the area of customer service with the aim of providing service excellence, oversees the strategic use of information technology for the greater convenience of all users of our IP systems and provide a holistic framework and infrastructure to manage knowledge flow across the organization.
In the area of IP laws, the Registries Group aims to provide a sound and robust IP regime for Singapore and in the area of operation, the Registries Group aims to render efficient and effective services in IP registration for the benefit of businesses and the public at large. Being the main regulatory arm that provides the core functions of registering all IP rights in Singapore, the Registries Group ensures a balanced IP framework to support Singapore's national economic growth.
Infrastructure and Capability Development Group
The Infrastructure & Capability Development Group (ICDG) aims to catalyse and facilitate the development of IP market infrastructure and capabilities as well as to cultivate an IP savvy culture in Singapore to help boost economic growth.
The Group comprises:
- Public Outreach Department
- Enterprise Development Department
The Public Outreach Department aims to groom an IP savvy generation by raising IP awareness among general public and educating them from young on IP issues. The department’s flagship initiative for public awareness, the HIP (Honour IP) Alliance, is a collaborative effort between government and industry players that seeks to encourage people to respect IP and to reject piracy. The department also runs the school education programme that seeks to teach students on IP in a fun and interactive way.
The Enterprise Development Department helps both the private and public sectors to build IP management capabilities at the organisational level. The aim is to enable organisations to better utilise their intangible assets and increase their competitive advantage.
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The Corporate Services Group
The Corporate Services Group supports IPOS in developing and implementing strategic policies and programmes to facilitate IPOS' progress as an employer of choice through a culture of excellence.
The Group comprises the following departments:
- Finance Department
- Human Capital Department
- Information Technology Department
- Public Relations Department
The Finance Department comprises Finance, Corporate Planning and Procurement & Administration teams. We ensure IPOS' financial resources are efficiently managed through proper allocation of resources and funds management; as well as administering critical support to ensure seamless IPOS' daily operations and adherence to public sector governance rules.
The Human Capital Department’s mission is to attract, develop, nurture and retain the talents in IPOS. We align individual growth with IPOS' growth and value our staff as key to the organization. We strive to continuously improve our services and quest for organization excellence initiatives in support of IPOS' organizational goals.
The Information Technology Department provides InfoComm Technology (ICT) services which include policy development, planning and project management services to ensure the deployment and support of secured, reliable and robust business applications, eServices and infrastructure (desktop, communication and network). We aim to enable and empower IPOS to achieve its mission by strategising and deploying ICT solutions in alignment with iGovernment plan, and through close collaborations with our various user departments.
The Public Relations Department is the custodian of IPOS' image and branding, overseeing Corporate Communications, Media Relations and Marketing Communications. Working closely with other IPOS departments, the Public Relations Department provides strategic communications advisory to promote IPOS' new initiatives and services.
Policy Group
The Policy Group oversees legal and IP policy, international affairs and strategic planning work.
The Group comprises:
- Legal and Policy Affairs Department
- Strategic Planning and Policy Department
The Legal and Policy Affairs Department stewards and facilitates the formulation and development of national IP policy, ensuring that national IP laws remain relevant in our fast changing world, and also represents Singapore’s interests in IP matters at various international fora and during treaty/trade agreement negotiations.
The Strategic Planning and Policy Department works with the management team to chart the strategic direction for IPOS, drives and executes specific strategic projects, and provides IP policy support to the Singapore Government.
Hearings and Mediation Group
The Hearings and Mediation Group facilitates the resolution of disputes relating to the registration of:
- Trade Marks
- Patents
- Registered Designs
- Plant Varieties Protection
Disputes arise when a party objects to the registration of any IP right above by another party. HMG ensures that parties, where possible, explore mediation as an alternative to adjudication in order to arrive at an amicable settlement of the dispute.
HMG also deals with all interlocutory matters arising from the disputes such as applications for extensions of time, applications to amend pleadings and applications to file further evidence. Written Grounds of Decision will be delivered when the dispute is adjudicated after a full hearing.
Capability Building Group
Capability Building Group (CBG) oversees the training of IP knowledge workers, promote international co-operation to facilitate capacity building and provide insight on global IP issues through research.
The Group comprises:
- Capability Development Department
The Capability Development Department facilitates the development of IP expertise so as to expand the pool of IP professionals in Singapore. Working in synergy and partnership with key stakeholders such as professional and business associations, government agencies, institutes of higher learning and Singapore's IP Academy, the department also organises conferences to facilitate IP capability building with international partners.
International Engagement Department
The International Engagement Department supports IPOS' vision by establishing linkages and relationships with IP stakeholders outside Singapore such as government agencies, institutions, inventors, creators, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and others involved in the innovation cycle. Together with MinLaw and in line with the IP hub master plan, the department also seeks to make Singapore a vibrant marketplace for IP transactions and commercialisation and helps to facilitate and support the growth of the IP services sector as well as to attract foreign IP firms to set up operations in Singapore.