patents-formalities-manual - revision history - guidelines for non-commercial use

Oct 24, 2026

Copyright and usage terms for a Singapore Intellectual Property Office (IPOS) patents formalities manual, allowing download, viewing, printing, and reproduction only for non-commercial purposes. Provides legal disclaimers and states the content is based on IPOS interpretation of currently applicable patent law and practice, not constituting legal advice. Includes a revision history covering updates across versions from 2017 through 2022, with described changes such as payment methods, form merging, procedural modifications, and pilot programme features.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages181

Reading Time7 h 36 min

AccessFree to download

Revision History

2017

2018

Nov 2018

Dec 2019

Nov 2020

Dec 2021

Jun 2022

Copyright © 2024 Intellectual Property Office of Singapore You may download, view, print and reproduce this document without modifications, but only for non-commercial use. All other rights are reserved. This document and its contents are made available on an "as is" basis, and all implied warranties are disclaimed. These guidelines will be updated at regular intervals and are based on IPOS’ interpretation of the currently applicable law and practice of patents. The contents of this document do not constitute, and should not be relied on as, legal advice. You should approach a legal professional if you require legal advice. Any feedback from readers drawing attention to errors as well as suggestions for improvement will be greatly appreciated and this may be sent by email to: [IPOS_Enquiry@ipos.gov.sg](IPOS_Enquiry@ipos.gov.sg). REVISION HISTORY | Version | Description of Revisions | Chapter | Date of Release | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Aug 2017 | First Version | - | 1 Aug 2017 | | Aug 2018 | Revisions have been made to the following parts:
• ISO 9001:2015 Quality management
• Disclosure of invention prior to filing
• Merging of Patents Form 1 and 8
• Patentable subject matter check for supplementary examination
• Closure of foreign route
• Relying on utility model/patent applications for supplementary examination
• Time period for application to be treated as abandoned
• Time period for switching of search and examination routes
• Merging of Patents Forms 12B and 13
• Examiner-initiated informal communication
• Examples relating to addition, correction or late declaration of priority
• Request for correction of error | 1.3
2.2.29 to 2.2.32, 6.1.18 to 6.1.23 2.3
6.1.3
6.1.4
6.1.13
6.1.14
6.3.11
6.4.2
6.4.15 to 6.4.20 11.2
11.8 | 1 Aug 2018 | Nov 2018 Revisions have been made to the following parts: 1 Nov 2018 • Removal of payment via cheque and cash Addition of Visa and MasterCard payment methods • Addition of Example 4 for making amendment/correction 4.1.5, 11.4.22 5.11 | Version | Description of Revisions | Chapter | Date of Release | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Dec 2019 | Revisions have been made to the following parts:
• Page count of sequence listing
• Payment of application fees
• Request for journal copies
• Format for amendment/correction of specification
• Procedure for rectifying deficiency to Patents Form 13
• Condition for refund of S&E forms
• New pilot features PCT-ASPEC and ASPEC Acceleration for Industry 4.0 Infrastructure and Manufacturing (ASPEC AIM)
• GPPH participating offices, types of PPH requests and IP office dossier access system
• Recipient of renewal reminder
• Requirements for national security clearance
• Submission and payment for contravention of national security clearance
• Contact details of Patent Examiners | 2.2.24 2.3.43 4.1.5
5.6, 5. 12, 6.3.6, 6.4.4, 9.3.4, 11.8.23 5.9
6.3.16, 6.4.11 7.3.12
7.2
9.1.18 11.4.9
11.4.19, 11.4.23
11.7.4 | 1 Dec 2019 | | Nov 2020 | Revisions have been made to the following parts: | | 2 Nov 2020 | | | • Scope of ISO 9001 certification
• Mode of correspondence | 1.3 | | | | | 2.3.32 | | | | • Acceptance of specification in Microsoft Word | 2.3.36 to 2.3.38, | | | | (DOCX) format | 2.3.40 | | | | • No figures indicated on the abstract | 2.6.6 | | | | • Payment mode for journal purchase | 4.1.5 | | | | • Removal of supplementary examination route from 1 Jan 2020 | 6.1.14 and | | | | | flowcharts | | | | • Claims correspondence for ASPEC application | 7.1.9d | | | | • Addition of PPH pilot programme with the | 7.2.2, 7.2.3, | | | | National Institute of Industrial Property (Brazil)
• Addition of patent cooperation with Laos | 7.2.5 | | | | | 7.4 | | | | • Requirement for Fast Track supporting | | | | | document when applying to obtain a patent grant within 12 months | | | | | • Replacem

FAQs

What are the permitted uses of the document content?

The document may be downloaded, viewed, printed, and reproduced without modifications only for non-commercial use. All other rights are reserved.

Does the document provide legal advice?

No. The contents do not constitute and should not be relied on as legal advice, and a legal professional should be consulted for legal advice.

How is the revision history organized in the manual?

The document lists revision versions with dates and summaries of changes, including updates to specific processes, forms, payment methods, and programme features across multiple years.

Oct 24, 2026

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