(ip) hub master plan - Ministry of Law

other languages), thereby enhancing the quality of prior art assessment.
This ultimately benefits the patent applicant.
4.3.4. The popularity of PPHs is growing around the world. In Singapore, PPHs have been
established with the USPTO and the JPO in 2009. A third PPH with KIPO has
commenced in Jan 2013. However, the use of Singapore’s existing PPHs is low at
present – this is likely due to the low awareness and appreciation by applicants on
the advantages of the PPHs. 31 We should enhance the profile of our existing PPHs,
and actively encourage the use of PPHs among companies in Singapore.
Recommendation 3-2
Build comprehensive international networks and collaborations with other IP
offices to develop Singapore as a gateway to other markets.
4.3.5. Singapore should seek to grow our collaborations with other IP offices of
comparable quality and standing. For example, Singapore should accelerate efforts
in building a comprehensive network of PPHs, particularly with key IP offices such
as the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) of the People’s Republic of China.
This is a mutually beneficial arrangement that would also benefit the partnering
patent offices as it helps to reduce the workload and case backlog.
4.3.6. IP owners primarily file their IP in markets where there is commercial interest.
However, a strong network of PPHs working in tandem with world-class S&E
capabilities can help Singapore, despite our small domestic market, to grow as a
choice venue for quality patent filings, where applicants can obtain cost-effective
and quality S&E reports quickly to expedite patent prosecution in other national IP
offices. This would add to the overall attractiveness of filing first in Singapore, and
using Singapore as a gateway to enter other markets.
4.3.7. Singapore should also encourage foreign IP offices to set up a presence, as WIPO
has done, and even offer substantive services, from here. This would allow foreign
IP offices to better support their Asian clientele. This is particularly relevant given
the growing volume of IP filings by Asian applicants, and with the liberalisation of
Singapore’s patent agent sector, the greater number of foreign-qualified patent
agents serving Asian clients from Singapore in the future.
31 To date, there have been nine applications under the IPOS-USPTO PPH and eight applications under the
IPOS-JPO PPH.
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