(ip) hub master plan - Ministry of Law

ecommendations to ensure that their IP framework is conducive to support
innovation and promote economic growth in the digital age. 26 The nature of
trademarks and brands is also constantly evolving, and new IP owners are
increasingly inventing sophisticated and innovative trademarks. It is important for
Singapore to stay abreast of international and recent developments. Our IP
regimes across different types of IP should be regularly reviewed, including the
prosecution process. The standing and capabilities of the patent, trademark and
design professions should also be regularly reviewed and enhanced. This would
ensure that Singapore’s IP regimes not only meet international standards, but are
also progressive, world-class and supportive of the needs of IP owners.
4.2.2. Singapore has already made good headway in our patents regime. The Committee
reaffirms IPOS’ plans to move from a patent self-assessment system, where patent
applications need not fully fulfil Singapore’s patentability criteria, to a positive
grant system. Under the positive grant system, only patent applications which fully
meet patentability criteria and have received a positive S&E report can be granted.
The positive grant system will align our patent regime to those of major established
patent offices, and strengthen business and investor confidence in our patent
regime.
A. Patent Search and Examination Capabilities
4.2.3. The Committee applauds IPOS’ plan to build domestic S&E capabilities. To position
itself as a hub for IP filings, Singapore should build a strong patent S&E team
capable of providing applicants with quality S&E reports expeditiously and at a
reasonable cost. Having our own world-class S&E capabilities will also help develop
the suite of IP capabilities in Singapore, and burnish our credentials as a Global IP
Hub in Asia.
4.2.4. Certain national IP offices have over time built a reputation for providing best-inclass
S&E expertise in niche areas reflective of the strengths of their economic and
industry sectors. For example, the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) has
developed a strong reputation for their S&E expertise in consumer electronics,
particularly liquid crystal display (LCD) technologies. Similarly, IPOS should
distinguish itself through the strength of its S&E capabilities in niche technology
areas. The current technology areas that IPOS has identified – biomedical sciences,
electronics and IT – are in line with the strategic industry sectors that Singapore
26 Professor Ian Hargreaves, 2011. Digital Opportunity: A Review of Intellectual Property and Growth.
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipreview-finalreport.pdf (accessed Feb 2013).
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