AMENDMENT OF SINGAPORE PATENT LAW WITH EFFECT FROM 14 FEBRUARY 2014

The most significant changes are:

• the switching from the current "self-assessment" patent system, wherein a patent is granted regardless of whether its claimed subject-matter is patentable, to a "positive grant" patent system, wherein grant of a patent will only occur if the claimed-subject matter is considered patentable.

• a Singapore application relying on the final examination results from a corresponding application, a corresponding national phase application or the PCT international phase will now be subjected to a supplementary examination.

• the switching from the current two-track prosecution system (slow track or fast track) to a single track prosecution system.

These changes will be effective on 14 February 2014.

A Singapore national application, a PCT Singapore national phase application, or a divisional application filed/entered on or after 14 February 2014 will be prosecuted under the new patent system.

Please feel free to contact LAVOIX in case you need more information.

Contact: Céline BOURNEUF