Singapore tightens patent rules for businesses

Businesses in Singapore that depend on intellectual property (IP) protection will soon face higher costs but clearer boundaries due to revised patent rules taking effect on Sept. 1.

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) will reduce the number of free claims in a patent application from 20 to 15, while fees for excess claims will double to $80 per claim. According to intellectual property firm Cantab IP, renewal fees will also increase by about 7%, ranging from $11 to $90 depending on the renewal year.

Patent claims, which define the scope of an invention, are crucial in determining whether new products infringe on existing rights. Analysts say the new limits will likely lead to shorter and more understandable patents, which could benefit smaller companies trying to assess competitors’ filings.

“For a third party who has a product they want to put on the market, when they look at competitors’ patents, those patents are likely to have fewer claims,” said Jonas Lindsay, a partner of law firm Marks & Clerk. “So that process may be simpler.”

Jasper Lim, a partner at Lee & Lee, stated the shift will enhance transparency in the innovation ecosystem. “This clarity will benefit third parties who may wish to enter a certain field, but avoid infringement of existing patents,” he said.

Singapore’s new rules place it below other major jurisdictions: the United States allows 20 free claims per application and the United Kingdom allows 25. However, observers note that the stricter threshold could speed up examinations at IPOS, as fewer claims mean a lighter workload for patent officers. This could result in faster approvals or rejections, providing businesses with quicker certainty.

The increased renewal fees might also motivate companies to review their patent portfolios more thoroughly. Industry experts anticipate some businesses will abandon registrations that are no longer in use, potentially freeing intellectual property for others to adopt. Lim also added that smaller firms may offset costs added through government grants and IPOS support programs.