Singapore IP Practice Updates

Singapore's IP regime has seen several notable updates since early 2025. Changes to IP practice included revisions to official fees and the launch of new IP acceleration schemes. Patent acceleration was also strengthened through enhancements to PPH and ASPEC, as well as new and expanded bilateral work-sharing programmes with other countries. Together with updates to the Nice and Locarno classifications and continued government support schemes, these developments align with Singapore's continued efforts to build a more sustainable and efficient IP system. 

Fee Updates

IPOS revised its official fees, with most changes taking effect from 1 September 2025 and selected changes from 1 April 2026. The key updates are summarised below.

Patents

• Higher excess claim fees and a reduced claim threshold for excess claims
• Changes to the timing and procedures for payment of excess claim fees
• Increases in renewal fees

Trade Marks

• Higher application fees where specifications are not fully adopted from the pre-approved database
• Higher renewal fees
• Increased fees for certain amendment requests

Registered Designs

• Increased fees for certain amendment requests

Plant Varieties

• Reduced application fees

The fee changes are part of IPOS’ recalibration of cost recovery across the IP system. Businesses managing IP portfolios in Singapore should factor these changes into their filing strategies and budgets. 

For more information on the fee updates, please refer to our earlier article.

SG Patents Fast and SG Trade Marks Fast Programmes

The SG Patents Fast and SG Trade Marks Fast domestic acceleration programmes were launched on 20 May 2025 to allow applicants to accelerate examination of their patent and trade mark applications. However, as of 4 January 2026, IPOS has suspended the acceptance of new requests under both programmes pending their review. Applicants are encouraged to monitor IPOS announcements for updates on the programme review.

Patents: Extension of Time for Requesting Examination

IPOS has an ongoing initiative under which applicants can request an 18-month extension to the deadline for requesting examination without an official fee. This initiative is still available for use and applies to applications for which the original deadline to request examination falls between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2026.

Patents: Enhancements to PPH Programme

PPH is a global work-sharing initiative that enables applicants to accelerate patent examination by leveraging positive examination results from another participating office. IPOS participates in the global PPH (GPPH) programme and has existing bilateral PPH programmes with the IP offices of China, Mexico, Europe, France, and Saudi Arabia.

In 2025, IPOS also established a new bilateral PPH programme with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), which will run from 18 January 2025 to 18 January 2027. The PPH programme between IPOS and the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) was made permanent as of 12 September 2025. 

Until 31 December 2027, applicants filing a PPH acceleration request may receive a refund of up to 30% of the official fees paid for examination requests, so applicants are encouraged to consider PPH where eligible. 

Patents: ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC) Programme

ASPEC is an ASEAN work-sharing programme that allows participating ASEAN IP offices to utilise positive examination results from one participating office to expedite patent examination in another participating office. The current participating IP offices of ASEAN Member States are that of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The PCT-ASPEC programme was made permanent with effect from 27 August 2025. Under PCT-ASPEC, applicants may rely on a PCT report issued from an ASEAN International Searching Authority or International Preliminary Examining Authority (currently only IPOS and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines) to accelerate patent examination in any of the participating ASEAN IP offices.

The ASPEC Acceleration for Industry 4.0 Infrastructure and Manufacturing (ASPEC AIM) pilot programme was intended to support Industry 4.0 innovation in the ASEAN region by committing a first office action within 6 months from filing an ASPEC AIM request. The programme concluded on 26 August 2025 due to low usage.

Patents: Collaborative Search & Examination (CS&E) Programmes

To help innovators obtain patent protection faster in Vietnam and Indonesia, IPOS has extended the existing CS&E programme with the IP Office of Vietnam (IP Viet Nam) until 28 February 2027 and launched a new CS&E programme with the Directorate General of IP of Indonesia (DGIP) on 2 January 2025 for an initial two-year period.

Key CS&E features include:

• enhanced search and examination using combined expertise of IPOS and IP Viet Nam or DGIP;
• accelerated issuance of a first Office Action within 10 months of filing a CS&E request;
• deferred translation and official costs for the office of later filing/examination; and
• prioritised examination in the office of later filing/examination using the CS&E report from the office of earlier filing/examination.

Trade Marks: Nice Classification (13th Edition, Version 2026)

With effect from 1 January 2026, trade mark applications filed on or after that date are classified in accordance with the 13th Edition, Version 2026 of the Nice Classification (“NCL (13-2026)”). Goods and services for applications filed before 1 January 2026 do not need to be reclassified.

Registered Designs: Locarno Classification (15th Edition)

Design applications filed on or after 1 January 2025 are classified in accordance with the classification set out in the Locarno Classification, 15th Edition. However, this is with the exception of Class 32, which covers graphic symbols and logos, surface patterns, ornamentation, arrangement of interiors and exteriors.

IPOS Public Consultation

IPOS ran a public consultation from 15 October 2025 to 28 November 2025 on proposed changes to Singapore’s IP regime. The consultation paper covered proposals across patents, registered designs, trade marks, geographical indications, plant varieties, and hearings and mediation. These proposals were consultative though they may signal future changes to practice.

Government Schemes to Support IP Registration Costs

IP application fees and IP acceleration fees may be eligible for tax support or grant support, depending on the nature of the expenditure and the applicable scheme.

Under the Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS), businesses conducting trade or business activities may claim enhanced tax deductions on qualifying IP registration costs or opt to convert qualifying expenditure into a cash payout to help offset innovation-related costs. The EIS is available for qualifying activities conducted from YA 2024 to YA 2028. 

The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) by Enterprise Singapore supports local companies in their growth and transformation efforts. While stand-alone IP registration costs are not generally covered under EDG, support may be available where IP registration or acceleration forms part of qualifying project costs under an approved project. The EDG is currently available until EDGE is implemented in the second half of 2026.

For local SMEs expanding overseas, the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant may also be relevant in appropriate cases. The MRA Grant may support certain overseas IP registration-related costs as part of eligible overseas market set-up activities. Higher support levels and extension of enhanced grant cap will take effect from 1 April 2026. 

From the second half of 2026, EDG and MRA will be streamlined into a single parent scheme EDGE. The eligibility for the activities supported under MRA when EDGE is implemented will be extended to local non-SMEs. Further, EDGE will remove the ‘new market’ criterion of MRA to support local businesses in both accessing new markets and deepening their presence in existing overseas markets. 

Practical Considerations

Businesses should revisit their IP filing strategies, cost planning, and approach to acceleration in light of these developments. Patent practitioners should review claim-drafting strategies in light of the lower threshold for excess claims and higher excess claim fees, and factor the revised renewal and examination fees into client budgeting and filing advice. With the suspension of new requests under SG Patents Fast, applicants seeking acceleration should consider using PPH, particularly in view of the fee savings incentive. Patent and trade mark applicants affected by the suspension of domestic acceleration programmes should monitor IPOS announcements for updates on the programme review. In the meantime, applicants are encouraged to seek advice from their patent or trade mark attorneys on the most suitable alternatives.

If you would like to explore how any of these programmes may apply to your business, please reach out to our team at mail@marks-clerk.com.sg.

Businesses should revisit their IP filing strategies, cost planning, and approach to acceleration in light of these developments.