Due to some technical glitches in Netrust, the ePatents online submission was not available since 2 September 2008.
Please be informed that ePatents online submission is now back in operation using an interim solution. During this period, users will not see a pop-up window to prompt for the Netrust password whenever login is attempted at ePatents 'Login with Netrust'.
Kindly click on 'Online Submission' to proceed with patents form submission as per normal. Users will be informed when the Netrust server is back in operation.
The Economic Development Board (EDB) will be retiring the Patent Application Fund (PAF) PLUS Scheme with effect from 31 July 2008. For more information, please refer to the EDB website.
Practice Direction No. 2 of 2008 (Electronic Online Service) has come into effect on 2 June 2008, replacing Practice Direction No. 1 of 2007 (Electronic Online Service).
EPP version 3.3 is available for download at http://www.epatents.gov.sg/General/download.asp and replaces EPP version 3.1 and version 3.2.
Please click here for the details on the changes to the ePatents system.
In conjunction with these changes, Patents Form 14(2004), the Service Bureau Request Form and the Waiver Request Form have been updated. Click here to refer to the forms.
1. New equivalent amounts in Singapore dollars have been established in respect of the international filing fee, the fee for each sheet in excess of 30 sheets and the PCT-EASY fee reduction for PCT applications filed with Singapore as the receiving Office.
2. A 90% reduction in certain PCT fees is available to an applicant who is a natural person and who is a national of and resides in Singapore.
Click here to refer to the PCT Fees.
We have been informed by trade mark proprietors that they have received letters from companies using names, abbreviations or emblems that appear to be “official” inviting them to ‘register’ their marks in registers or publications for a fee.
Please treat such letters as unsolicited mails. These companies are neither related to nor connected with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). The services they are offering are not official services. There is thus no obligation to pay.
Please take note that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) is the only Office constituted under Singapore laws that provide legal protection for Trade Marks, Patents, Designs and Plant Varieties in Singapore.
If you receive a letter or invoice pertaining to unsolicited services for Trade Marks, Patents, Designs or Plant varieties, please treat it with caution. If you are in any doubt, please consult your trade mark agent, patent agent or lawyer or you can email us for clarification.
Disclaimer:
The above notice does not amount to any legal advice but is strictly for your information only. When in doubt, please seek independent legal advice.
(a) 26th December 2008 is an excluded day for any business under the Trade Marks, Patents, Registered Designs and Plant Varieties Protection Acts and the respective Rules; where the time for doing the business expires on that date and where the business was not done by that date; and
(b) 2nd January 2009 is an excluded day for any business under the Trade Marks, Patents, Registered Designs and Plant Varieties Protection Acts and the respective Rules; where the time for doing the business expires on that date and where the business was not done by that date.
Click here to refer to Practice Directions (Patents).
Click here to refer to Practice Directions (Trade Marks).
Click here to refer to Practice Directions (Designs). Click here to refer to Practice Directions (Plant Varieties Protection).
IPOS has launched a new "Search & Pick" facility, an online tool for the classification of goods and services for trade mark applications. This online tool, which replicates the classification search under eTrademarks, assists you in searching the most appropriate descriptions for your goods and/or services when you efile your trade mark application. This avoids the need to conduct a separate classification search under eTrademarks. Furthermore, all Search and Pick items are in conformity with the Nice Classification and will be acceptable to the Registrar. With this enhancement of the eTrademarks application form, we hope that it would be easier for users to describe their goods and services quickly and accurately. Please send us any feedback that you may have on this online tool at ipos_enquiry@ipos.gov.sg.
Click here for training notes on the new "Search & Pick" facility.
The new practice year commences on 1st April 2008.
If Rule 9 of the Patents (Patent Agents) Rules applies to you, you are advised to apply for the practising certificate for the next practice year.
Section 105 of the Patents Act (Cap. 221) states that only registered patent agents with practising certificates can conduct patent agency work and describe themselves as patent agents. Advocates and solicitors with a valid practising certificate may also conduct patent agency work; however, they will not be allowed to describe themselves as patent agents.
Please refer to Rule 9 for details on the filing of Form C to apply for the practising certificate.
For more information, please click here.
IPOS is very grateful for all the feedback we have received for both public consultation periods in relation to the draft Copyright (Excluded Works) Order 2007. Substantive submissions were received from copyright owners, companies, educational institutions, government agencies and individuals.
The feedback has been carefully considered and IPOS is working with the Attorney-General’s Chambers to prepare the new Order.
In the meantime, the existing Copyright (Excluded Works) Order 2005 will remain in force until 31st December 2008.
For more information, please click here
