14 February, 2017
Reduced fees for patent search & examination and trade mark applications; but some increase in maintenance costs for patents and trade marks.
Come 1 April 2017, businesses will be able to enjoy fee reductions for patent search and examination reports and for trade mark applications. However, there will be an increase in the lifecycle costs for maintaining both patents and trade marks.
Highlights of some of these revisions:
- Removal of official fees for appointment, change or removal of an agent
- Removal of official fees for requests to change or correct name, address and other particulars.
A table emphasising the key fee changes:
Please click on the table to enlarge.
With the revision of fees, Singapore will remain as one of the most attractive countries for IP filing, with competitive rates compared to other major jurisdictions. In fact, IPOS has announced that "the fees adjustment will result in a net cost reduction for businesses and brand owners, when the various stages in the life cycle of protecting an invention or a trade mark are considered".
Secure your renewals before 1 April 2017!
In the case of renewals, given the increased fees after 1 April 2017, rights owners should consider effecting desired renewals wherever possible.
A renewal may be filed earliest anytime within the 3-month period for patents and 6-month period for trade marks prior to the expiry date of the registration. Thus, any trade mark registrations due to expire on or before 30 September 2017 and/or any patents due for renewal by 30 June 2017 may be renewed before 1 April 2017 so as to enjoy cost savings of up to 50%, compared to a renewal after 1 April 2017 when the new fees are in force.
