Sub-track: Trade Marks
1. Trade Mark Examiner/Associate Trade Mark Examiner
The Trade Mark Examiner/Associate Trade Mark Examiner works at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, and conducts thorough search and substantive examination to ensure that a trade mark is registrable in accordance with the Trade Marks legislation. He/She reviews and processes trade mark applications under the Trade Marks Act and Madrid Protocol, which includes checking classifications of goods and services against the NICE Classification, and conducting and analysing relevant searches to determine if a trade mark is eligible for registration.
The Trade Mark Examiner/Associate Trade Mark Examiner composes office actions that clearly raises all appropriate legal objections and requirements with justification on the examiner's findings. He is expected to communicate with applicants or their legal representatives on the outcome of the examination, and consider responses to these objections. He also provides assistance to members of the public who have queries on trade mark-related matters.
The Trade Mark Examiner/Associate Trade Mark Examiner possess good research, analytical, and written and verbal communication skills. Apart from examination of applications, he will also be tasked to take on roles and responsibilities which are necessary for the proper functioning of the Registry.
2. Principal Trade Mark Examiner/Senior Trade Mark Examiner
The Principal Trade Mark Examiner/Senior Trade Mark Examiner coaches and provides guidance to other trade mark examiners on their application of professional judgement and practice in trade mark examination, and on improving the quality of the Registry’s services. He/She typically leads a team, and structures opportunities for team members to practice and demonstrate their knowledge and skills. He monitors progress and provides recommendation to suit career paths of team members.
The Principal Trade Mark Examiner/Senior Trade Mark Examiner keeps abreast with legal, technical and procedural knowledge relevant to trade mark examination and practices, and reviews existing policies and practices to validate their relevance in tandem with business and economic changes. He ensures continuous measuring, reporting and improvement of the Registry’s performance. He implements mechanisms to monitor, evaluate and advance quality and timeliness of the Registry’s work, and derives corrective and preventive actions to improve quality of results delivered.
The Principal Trade Mark Examiner/Senior Trade Mark Examiner may be tasked to represent IPOS as Singapore delegate at regional or international meetings, and to present in local and/or overseas public symposiums to educate different audience on the trade mark practice in Singapore.
3. Chief Trade Mark Examiner
The Chief Trade Mark Examiner leads on policies, trends and practices in local and other jurisdictions, and coaches the Registry and relevant stakeholders on trade mark law and related processes. He/She also leads quality advocates and guides all examiners to assure all quality standards are always met, and implements strategies for continuous improvement in quality and timeliness of the department’s work.
The Chief Trade Mark Examiner constantly coaches, guides and develop capabilities of trade mark examiners, so as to identify and develop them for succession planning. He champions the analysis of competency gaps for trade mark examiners, and oversees the design and development of interventions to address competency gaps of trade mark practice areas to ensure effectiveness.
The Chief Trade Mark Examiner is consulted as a trade mark examination expert by the intellectual property (IP) community, both locally and in the region. He stays at the forefront of developments in trade mark practices in other countries, and applies this knowledge to shape trade mark practices in Singapore and internationally. He also cultivates a wide network of contacts, and develops partnerships with local and overseas IP counterparts to influence changes to the trade mark regime.
Sub-track: Patents
1. Patent Examiner/Associate Patent Examiner
The Patent Examiner/Associate Patent Examiner works at the government patent office and holds the authority in determining whether an invention has a technical and legal basis to be granted a patent in Singapore. He/She is able to analyse technical information in a patent application, and classify and search effectively in publications, technical literature and databases of patents to determine if an invention is novel.
The Patent Examiner/Associate Patent Examiner interprets patent law and make use of relevant guidelines to make decisions regarding the assessment of patent applications. He also drafts written reports with clear and succinct arguments to present his findings, and interprets applicant responses and respond accordingly.
The Patent Examiner/Associate Patent Examiner is required to have a strong foundation in science or engineering. He also possesses excellent communication skills to correspond with stakeholders both in writing and verbally.
2. Principal Patent Examiner/Senior Patent Examiner
The Principal Patent Examiner/Senior Patent Examiner drafts complex arguments in reports that are appropriate for the specific audience. He/She reviews the work of junior examiners, and provides guidance to address gaps in practice at individual level.
The Principal Patent Examiner/Senior Patent Examiner identifies areas of weakness in, and advise on changes to patent law locally and/or internationally. He leads, develops and influences changes to search and examination practices. He identifies developmental needs and champions analysis of competency gaps in the department. He engages the department to present and update on policy and practice developments in a clear and succinct manner.
The Principal Patent Examiner/Senior Patent Examiner engages various stakeholders and presents at public symposiums to provide technical expertise, advise on patent policies and practices in his area of expertise, and/or share research and new developments.
3. Chief Patent Examiner
The Chief Patent Examiner drives changes in patent examination practices, and influence changes in Singapore’s patent regime and beyond to shape the future intellectual property (IP) eco-system.
The Chief Patent Examiner drives changes in Singapore IP policies to be consistent with the wider governmental agenda on IP rights and technological development, and for alignment with Singapore’s economic interests or strategies. He/She provides high-level input in helping stakeholders formulate R&D and business policies and strategies.
The Chief Patent Examiner represents Singapore to speak, chair or playing a leading role in renowned regional or international IP events. He also builds collaborative long term relationships with local government agencies and international IP offices, to facilitate discussion on IP policies.