ePatents

• The security of the data submitted is ensured as the communication channel through the Internet is secured by Verisign Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit. The ePatents servers are also placed behind a firewall which is placed in a secured data centre environment. System security patches are applied weekly with regular system scanning to uncover and patch possible security holes. This way, data is secure both during and after transmission to ePatents.
• For form submission, a Netrust Digital Certificate is also needed to digitally sign the online submission. The use of the Netrust Digital Certificate in the form of a USB cryptographic token stored on a USB thumbdrive is an additional measure to further ensure confidentiality and to facilitate non-repudiation.
• Before submission through ePatents, any attachment to be submitted with the Patents Form(s) also need to be compressed and digitally signed. This is done by using a program which can be downloaded from ePatents. This is to further ensure data confidentiality and non-repudiation for important documents such as description, claims, drawings, abstract etc.
  

1. The Online Attachment Preparation (OAP) sub-system, used exclusively for preparing electronic attachments for online transmission (click here to find out more); and
2. The Electronic Preparation Preparation (EPP) sub-system, used exclusively for preparing electronic documents for media submission (click here to find out more). [Note: encryption is not needed for EPP submissions as the submissions are given to the Patents Registry on physical media i.e. CD-Rom/ diskettes.]

1. Description + claim(s) : 120 pages
2. Drawings : 20 pages
3. Abstract : 1 page

1. where the Patents Form and documents are sent online
   For the purposes of determining the lodgement date of submission IPOS establishes the lodgement date on the day the electronic filing is completely and successfully received at IPOS, as shown in the acknowledgement receipt.
2. where the Patents Form and documents are sent on media
   The relevant lodgement date will be the date that the media is received by IPOS. Payment of the filing fee only will not be sufficient to secure a filing date. Both filing fee and the media containing the documents comprising the submission must be received by IPOS in order to secure a filing date.

• This is a feature which allows you to save the details which you have keyed into the online patents forms on our server for a maximum of three working days. You must complete the submission or resave the details before the end of the three working days, or the details will be deleted. You can save a maximum of 10 Patents Forms for each subscriber user account. This feature is available for all Patents Forms, with the exception of renewals.

1. top: 2.0 cm;
2. left side: 2.5 cm;
3. right side: 2.0 cm; and
4. bottom: 2.0 cm.

1. top: 2.5 cm;
2. left side: 2.5 cm;
3. right side: 1.5 cm; and
4. bottom: 1.0 cm.

Images in TIFF (Tag Image File Format)?

TIFF images must be black and white (or grayscale), 300 dpi in Group 4
Compression. We also recommend the cropping of each graphic image to
reduce the surrounding white space.

1. The descriptions, claims, drawings, abstracts or their amendments / corrections should only be saved in PDF format if the documents are converted directly from an electronic document by using the recommended Adobe PDF Writer Software, i.e. if you have a softcopy of the specification, you should convert and save the specification as PDF files by using the recommended Adobe PDF Writer software.
2. In all other cases where scanning is required, the descriptions, claims, drawings, abstracts or their amendments / corrections should be saved in TIFF format, i.e. if you only have a paper copy of the specification, you should scan the specification and save it in TIFF format.
3. If the descriptions, claims, drawings, abstracts or their amendments / corrections are electronic documents already in TIFF format, you should retain the format and submit the documents in TIFF format.

• 3.5 Inch Diskette
  EPP will separate the electronic package (containing the compressed and encrypted Patents Forms and attachments) into the required number of diskettes. Please ensure that you label and number the diskettes accordingly (eg. disk 1/5, disk2/5 etc.), to ensure completeness of record.
• Recordable Compact Disc (CDR)
  EPP will compress the Patents Forms and attachments into a file which can be stored on your computer. You can then use a CDR writer with the appropriate software, to place this file onto a CDR for submission on media.
  

1. post the envelope with its contents;
2. hand it to or drop it off at our office counter (during office hours); or
3. drop it off in the Patents Deposit Box (after office hours).

1. access bibliographic information;
2. perform full text search on published patent specification and abstracts;
3. view the abstract of all published applications online; and
4. download all published patent information available online.

IPOS will endeavor to ensure that essential services continue with the least possible disruption or delay.

In the event that any of the online facilities is rendered temporarily unavailable for an extended period of time, a message will be displayed on the relevant webpage. Under these circumstances, you are strongly encouraged to submit date-sensitive material requirement by hand to our Registry counter.

Please file a paper copy of the Patent Form (you can get a copy here) with your submissions in the designated electronic formats to facilitate processing of your submission.

Please note that it remains your responsibility to ensure that deadlines are respected. Unless otherwise notified, you should assume that the deadlines continue to remain in place. You are strongly encouraged to address important deadlines ahead of time to minimise the risk of affecting your or your clients' interests.

• Self Help Kiosk
  There will be a computer workspace with a scanner, Adobe PDF Writer software and a CDR Writer, situated within a lockable room for conversion of paper documents into a digital format. The same terminal may also be used for electronic online and media submissions.
  
  If you already have your own Netrust Digital Certificate and ePatents subscriber account, you can use them to access ePatents to make your electronic submissions. However, if you do not have a Netrust Digital Certificate, one will be available separately for rented use. You will need to apply for a Cat 2 account for yourself and the relevant surcharges will apply.
  
  Please note, however, that a declaration form will have to be completed, to retain accountability for the use of the Netrust Digital Certificate. Proof of identification (such as NRIC or passport) will have to be produced at the time of request of use of the Netrust ID card.
• Search Room Terminals
  There will be several terminals in the Public Search Room at IPOS, with Card Readers attached. These terminals can be used to make online submissions. Please note however, that you should already have your documents (Patents description, claims, drawings or abstract etc) in electronic form when you make your submission using these terminals. If you only have your documents in paper form, you will need to use the Self Help Kiosk facilities.
• Service Bureau
  A service bureau will be available for applicants to submit paper documents which should have been submitted electronically. These paper documents will be scanned and submitted for applicants at a fee. Applicants will be notified in writing when these paper submissions are ready for collection.
  
  In order to make use of the service bureau, a Service Bureau Request Form will have to be filled up. You will be able to acquire a copy of the Service Bureau Request Form from ePatents. You can request for this service by completing this form, and submitting it with your paper documents to the Registry counter or through the Patents Deposit Box with the relevant fees and service bureau surcharges.
  
  The applicable charges will be set out in the First Schedule of the Patents Rules. The charges will be as follows :
  
  1. an administrative fee (on a per Patent Form basis); and
  2. a scanning fee (on a per page basis, including the Patent Form filed).
• Patents Deposit Box
  A Patents Deposit Box will be available on level four of Plaza By The Park on IPOS premises to receive patent submissions after office hours.
  
  The Patents Deposit Box will consist of two mail slots which will be accessible from the common corridor. These mail slots will be properly identified as belonging to the Patents Deposit Box and will be situated along the corridor to the right of the glass entrance of the Registry.
  
  These slots will be timer controlled, with a midnight deadline. At any instance, only one slot will be open. One slot will be labelled "Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday" and the other slot will be labelled "Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday". Hence, you will be able to tell if you managed to make it before the midnight deadline to secure a particular filing date, with the usual rules on excluded days to continue to apply.
  
  The Patents Deposit Box can be used for a variety of patents submissions :
  
  1. Media submissions (for Patents Forms that have to be submitted electronically);
  2. Paper submissions (for the Service Bureau's attention); and
  3. Paper submissions that do not have to be submitted electronically.

1. simple Search
2. advanced Search
3. specification Search

1. download of published patent specifications; and
2. download of patent register and renewal details.