Outline of Intellectual Property Laws - Singapore
	Patents The Singapore Patents Act allows for the filing of national patent applications in the Singapore Registry of Patents. Priority may be claimed from any country that is a member of the Paris Convention or of the WTO. It is possible to designate Singapore via the PCT route. The Singapore Patents Act has many similarities to the current UK Patents Act and generally follows UK practice in terms of patentability and claim format. Procedures requiring search and examination of the application are also provided with the difference that search and examination performed elsewhere can be used instead of requesting search and examination locally, thus saving costs for applicants filing in several countries. Unlike most countries, the Singapore patent system is primarily a self-assessment system and it is ultimately the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the patent that is granted meets the requirements of the Act. There is no formal allowance and provided the grant fee is paid, a patent will be granted irrespective of whether the examiner and the applicant have agreed on the patentability of the invention. Trade Marks Singapore has its own independent trade mark registration system and follows the International Classification of Goods and Services. Although multi-class applications may be filed listing goods and services in different classes, after filing, a multi-class application is treated by the Singapore Trade Marks Registry as separate applications filed in each of the classes concerned. Priority may be claimed from applications filed in any country that is a member of the Paris Convention or of the WTO. Singapore is also a signatory to the Madrid Protocol. Designs The Singapore Registered Designs Act 2000 entered into force on 13 November 2000. As a result of the new Registered Designs Act, it is no longer possible to obtain registered design protection in Singapore by registering a design in the UK. It is now necessary to file a separate application in Singapore to register the design in Singapore (Priority may be claimed from any country that is a member of the Paris Convention or of the WTO). UK registered designs existing before 13 November 2000 and UK registered designs issued on applications filed in the UK before 13 November 2000 are valid in Singapore up to the due date for payment of the next UK renewal fee. To protect the design in Singapore after the due date for payment of the next renewal fee on the UK registered design, it is necessary to file a request for extension of the UK registered design to Singapore at the time of the next UK renewal date falling on or after 13 November 2000. There is a grace period of six months after the renewal due date during which the extension request can be late filed. A Singapore Registered Design is valid for fifteen years, renewal fees being paid at five year intervals. However, UK registered designs extended to Singapore are valid for twenty-five years from the UK registration date, provided renewal fees are paid at five year intervals, calculated from the due date for extension to Singapore.		View... Singapore Filing Requirements Singapore Steps and Timelines Singapore Online Instruction Form