- IPOS Go
In 2019, IPOS launched IPOS Go, the world’s first app for trademark applications, bringing the convenience of IP registration to a mobile app. Businesses can do a quick search for similar trademarks that are already registered and use it for IP renewals. An enhanced feature to search similar business names, domain names and social media account names will be launched in the next few months.
After obtaining a patent grant in Singapore, companies can tap the following programmes to process their patents internationally or regionally.
- Patent Prosecution Highway
Proprietors can benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programme, whereby the examination results from IPOS can be used to accelerate the inspection of corresponding foreign applications. In addition to bilateral PPH programmes with partners such as China, Mexico, Brazil, and the European Patent Office, IPOS is also a participating office of the Global PPH (GPPH) pilot programme. This allows applicants to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently.
- ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation
The ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC) expedites the patent application process by sharing search and examination results between nine participating offices in Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Through this programme, applicants in ASEAN can obtain patents faster and more efficiently if they seek protection in more than one participating ASEAN member state and reduce duplication on the search and examination work in the second ASEAN IP Office of application.
- Re-Registration of SG Patents in Cambodia and Laos
IPOS has established cooperation with Cambodia and Laos to support companies seeking to re-register their granted Singapore patents in the two countries. This is a substantial benefit to owners of Singapore patents as they will be able to apportion the prosecution costs in Singapore over Cambodia and Laos, while also enjoying time savings.