At the sidelines of the 55th World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) of Indonesia appointed the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) as a competent International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA), for patent applications entering their respective markets under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Under the PCT, innovators in Singapore and Singapore-based technology companies would have cost-efficient access to a growing list of markets, such as Vietnam, Mexico, Brunei, Japan, Laos, and the two new additions i.e. U.S. and Indonesia, when they utilise the Patent Search and Examination services provided by IPOS-International. This is in addition to the Patent Prosecution Highways offered by Singapore that expedite patent applications to over 30 countries, including key economies such as Europe, China, Japan, Korea and ASEAN.

Singapore’s robust IP regime has often been cited as a key factor that underpins global conglomerates’ decisions to establish their regional headquarters in the country. These include companies such as Procter and Gamble, Mead Johnson and over 30 leading biomedical sciences multinational companies.

This memorandum highlights how important the cooperative relationship between the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore is,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Ms Michelle K. Lee. “The programme will promote consistency in practices and spur greater innovation."

Local enterprises begin to jump on global IP bandwagon for business growth and success.

Singapore’s IP regime has been consistently ranked as one of the best in the world. The republic’s ISA and IPEA status, along with its recent top in Asia and seventh position worldwide in the Global Innovation Index 20151 , are set to see innovative activities ratchet up from within the country, and overseas enterprises seeking to accelerate towards global growth and IP protection via Singapore.

On 1 September 15, Singapore launched its operations as an ISA and IPEA, the first in ASEAN to allow businesses and inventors to fast track their applications for patent protection in 148 PCT member countries through Singapore. To date, IPOS has received 41 PCT applications that appoint IPOS as ISA and IPEA.

By appointing Singapore as an ISA and IPEA, enterprises and innovators will benefit from added ease, cost-effectiveness and up to 75%* (or around SGD 1,500) rebate on PCT filing fees, when making a PCT application through IPOS. IPOS also offers the Supplementary International Search (SIS) service under the PCT. It is the first SIS Authority to carry out searches in Chinese.

Ms. Christina Gee, Deputy Director (IP Management), Nanyang Technological University, said, “We are impressed by the quality of search and examination from IPOS examiners for national patent-filings, which are both thorough and comprehensive. The turnaround time has been quick as well. Moreover, the PCT search fees are reasonable and there is also an added advantage that IPOS examiners are capable of performing searches in both English and Chinese for more comprehensive search results.”

Mr. Tan Yih San, Chief Executive of IPOS, shared, “The effort towards building Singapore’s IP and patent services is yielding fruits. IPOS is honoured to deliver services as a competent International Search and Examination Authority from 1 Sep 15. This new service increases quality and helps reduce cost for innovators in Singapore and MNCs to access international markets through the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Agreements with U.S. and Indonesia - two of our most important trading partners - reaffirm our commitment to support and help build a vibrant, innovative and creative economy in Singapore."