Patent Filing Singapore

Singapore is one of Asia’s most advanced, innovation-friendly, and strategically important jurisdictions for patent protection. As a global leader in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, fintech, AI, robotics, biotechnology, green technologies, telecommunications, and high-precision engineering, Patent Filing Singapore offers a modern and highly reliable patent enforcement environment. Its reputation for transparency, efficiency, and legal certainty makes it a preferred patent destination for multinational corporations, research institutions, startups, and emerging technology companies.

Entering the National Phase Filing in Singapore enables applicants to convert their international application into a Singapore patent application under the Singapore Patents Act and the Patents Rules administered by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Singapore offers a unique hybrid examination system, allowing applicants to choose between a local substantive examination, a supplementary examination, or a reliance-based examination using the results of foreign patent offices.

Singapore is known for strong, enforceable patents, a well-developed IP litigation framework, and industry-friendly procedures such as the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), accelerated examination programs, and flexible amendment mechanisms. A granted Singapore patent provides robust rights to prevent unauthorized use, making, importing, or selling of the patented invention within Singapore.

For global applicants, national phase entry in Singapore is a strategic investment that provides high-quality patent protection in one of the world’s most important commercial and financial hubs.

Patent Filing Singapore – Eligibility Criteria Explained 

Any natural person, corporation, organisation, or legal successor listed as the PCT applicant—or to whom rights have been legally transferred—may enter the Singapore PCT Filing. Eligible applicants include:

• Individual inventors
• Domestic or international companies
• Startups and SMEs
• Research institutions and universities
• Government bodies
• Lawful assignees
  

Foreign applicants may file directly but must provide a Singapore address for service or appoint a registered Singapore patent agent. For all practical purposes, international applicants rely on a local agent for prosecution, responses, and correspondence.

If the applicant is not the inventor, proof of entitlement via assignment or other transfer document is required.

Important Deadline For Patent Filing Singapore(30 / 31-Month Rule)

Singapore follows the standard PCT timeline:

National phase entry deadline: 30 months from the earliest priority date.

All required documents, forms, and fees must be filed within this 30-month period to secure the filing date.

Extension After the 30-Month Deadline

Singapore allows applicants to request a late national phase entry up to 2 months after the 30-month deadline.

To use this extension, the applicant must:

• Pay the prescribed late entry fee
• File a request for permission to enter the national phase out of time
• Demonstrate that failure to enter on time was unintentional
  

IPOS is generally receptive to well-justified requests, but late entry should not be relied upon due to potential commercial risks, public disclosure, and intervening third-party rights.

Language Used in the Application of Patent Filing Singapore

Singapore accepts filings only in:

• English
  

If the international application was published in another language, the applicant must submit a verified English translation of the entire specification, including:

• Description
• Claims
• Abstract
• Drawings with English text
  

Precision is vital because Singapore strictly forbids the addition of new matter, and amendments must be fully supported by the original specification.

Required Documents

To enter the Patent Filing Singapore, the following documents are required:

Mandatory Documents

• Request for national phase entry
• Published PCT specification (full text)
• Claims, abstract, and drawings
• English translation (if needed)
• Details of applicant(s) and inventor(s)
• Priority documents (if not already furnished during the PCT stage)
  

Power of Attorney (POA)

• Generally not required unless authority is questioned
• A simple signed copy is sufficient
• No notarization, legalization, or apostille required
  

Assignment / Proof of Right

• Required when the applicant ≠ inventor
• Simple signed assignment accepted
• No legalization or notarization
  

Other Declarations

• Statement of inventorship
• Address for service in Singapore
  

Singapore’s flexible formality rules allow efficient national phase entry while maintaining strict standards for validity.

Search and Examination Procedure 

Singapore Patent Search offers three examination routes, making it one of the most flexible patent systems internationally:

Local Substantive Examination

IPOS conducts its own detailed review, including:

• Novelty/Patentability Search
• Inventive step
• Industrial applicability
• Sufficiency
• Clarity
• Claim support
• Formal compliance
  

Applicant’s Local Search + Local Examination

A local Singapore Patent Search report is issued, followed by an IPOS examination.

Supplementary Examination (Reliance on Foreign-Granted Patents)

Patent can be allowed based on a foreign grant from:

• USPTO
• EPO
• UKIPO
• JPO
• KIPO
• CNIPA (for some technologies)
  

This route significantly reduces costs and speeds up the grant.

Examination Process and Office Actions

Depending on the chosen examination route, the applicant may receive:

Written Opinions / Office Actions

Common objections include:

• Novelty and inventive-step rejections
• Insufficient support or lack of clarity
• Added matter
• Subject-matter exclusions
• Ambiguous claim language
• Issues with unity of invention
  

Applicants must respond with:

• Amendments
• Arguments
• Expert submissions (optional)
• Technical clarifications
  

Singapore examiners follow internationally harmonized standards, and prosecution is generally predictable and transparent.

Final Rejection and Appeal

If objections remain unresolved, a final examination report is issued.
Applicants may:

• Request a hearing
• Appeal to the High Court of Singapore
  

Successful prosecution results in the issuance of a Notice of Eligibility for Grant.

Deadline for Request for Examination

Applicants must request examination within 36 months of the earliest priority date.

Failure to request examination leads to abandonment, though restoration may be possible in limited circumstances.

Applicants may select:

• Local Examination (Form PF11)
• Supplementary Examination (Form PF11A)
• Examination based on foreign allowance
  

The choice affects costs, timelines, and grant probability.

Publication Process and Legal Impact

Singapore patent applications are typically published at:

18 months from the earliest priority date,

or shortly after national phase entry if delayed.

Legal effects of publication:

• Public disclosure of the invention
• Competitors gain visibility into the claim scope
• Applicant gains provisional protection and may claim backdated damages after the grant
• Third-party observations may be submitted
  

Early publication is available on request.

Grant Process and Enforceability

After the Patent Search examination is successfully completed, the applicant receives a Notice of Eligibility, after which a grant fee must be paid.

A granted Singapore patent provides:

• Exclusive rights to prevent unauthorized making, using, selling, or importing
• Ability to file infringement actions
• Reliefs are available in the form of injunctions, damages, or an account of profits.
• Border enforcement options
• Administrative enforcement mechanisms
  

Singapore has a modern IP court system with highly trained judges and fast timelines, making enforcement efficient and business-friendly.

Validity Term

A Singapore patent is valid for:

20 years from the international filing date (PCT filing date)

Extensions are available for pharmaceutical patents facing marketing-approval delays under the Patent Term Extension (PTE) system.

Typical Time to Obtain a Patent in Singapore

Typical timelines:

• Local substantive examination: 2–4 years
• Supplementary examination: 12–24 months
• PPH accelerated examination: 6–12 months
• Fast-track programs: as short as 6 months for certain technologies
  

Singapore is one of the fastest patent-granting jurisdictions when accelerated programs are used strategically.

Annuities and Maintenance Procedure

Annual renewal fees become due:

• On the 4th anniversary of the international filing date, and
• Every year thereafter until the 20-year term expires
  

Key points:

• Non-payment leads to lapse
• Grace period available with surcharge
• Restoration may be available for unintentional failure

Official Legal Fees for Patent Filing Singapore

(Approximate; subject to updates by IPOS—professional fees additional.)

15.1 Filing Fees

15.2 Search Fees

15.3 Examination Fees

15.4 Grant Fee

15.5 Annuity Fees

Late payment surcharges apply.

Utility Model Protection in Singapore

Singapore does not offer utility model or petty patent protection.
Only standard 20-year patents are available.

Singapore Official Patent Office & Website

Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
Official Website: Singapore Patent Office

This is the authoritative source for procedures, forms, fee schedules, and guidance.