New Patents and Trade Marks Acceleration Programmes to be Launched on 20 May 2025

Introduction

On 7 May 2025, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS“) issued circulars announcing new Patents and Trade Marks Acceleration programmes – the SG Patents Fast and SG Trade Marks Fast programmes. These programmes will be launched on 20 May 2025, replacing the SG IP FAST pilot programme, which concluded on 31 December 2024.

The new programmes seek to help filers receive faster office actions and feature simplified eligibility criteria.

1. SG Patents Fast allows patent applicants to apply to receive an accelerated first office action within either four or eights months.
2. SG Trade Marks Fast provides a simplified fast-track for trade mark applications and for the receipt of the first examination report within three to six weeks.

The new programmes are a welcome addition to the Singapore intellectual property (“IP“) registration framework. It benefits enterprises and innovators seeking to capitalise on their IP resources by providing a simplified and accelerated process for registration.

This Update sets out the key features of the new programmes, including the qualifying criteria, application process, and relevant fees.

SG Patents Fast

Key features – The details of SG Patents Fast are set out in Registry of Patents Circular No. 1/2025: New Patents and Trade Marks Acceleration Programmes. Under SG Patents Fast, applicants can choose the pace of acceleration:

1. SG Patents Fast 4: Applicants will receive first office action within four months of a successful application.
2. SG Patents Fast 8: Applicants will receive first office action within eight months of a successful application.

Criteria – The qualifying criteria for the SG Patents Fast is as follows:

1. The patent application is not a divisional application in Singapore;
2. Acceleration requests must contain 20 or fewer claims; and
3. There is a monthly cap of five requests per entity (individual or corporate).

Procedure – As for the procedure, acceleration requests must be made on Patents Form 11 (Request for a Search and Examination Report) or Patents Form 12 (Request for an Examination Report), with the payment of the applicable acceleration fee. Successful SG Patents Fast applications qualify for acceleration of subsequent office actions on Patents Form 13A (Response to Written Opinion).

Fees – The fees for SG Patents Fast are as follows:

1. SG Patents Fast 4 fees

• • Application to accelerate Search and examination (PF11): S$1,800
  • Application to accelerate Examination (PF12): S$1,200
  • Application to accelerate Response to examination objections (PF13A): S$150

2. SG Patents Fast 8 fees

• • Application to accelerate Search and examination (PF11): S$900
  • Application to accelerate Examination (PF12): S$600
  • Application to accelerate Response to examination objections (PF13A): S$150

SG Trade Marks Fast

Key features – The details of SG Trade Marks Fast are set out in Registry of Trade Marks Circular No. 2/2025: New Patents and Trade Marks Acceleration Programmes.

1. SG Trade Marks Fast allows enterprises to fast-track their trade mark applications and receive the first examination report within three to six weeks from the date of the application.
2. To make the programme more accessible, applicants will not require: (i) a related patent application; or (ii) full adoption of pre-approved descriptions of goods and services from IPOS’ Classification Database.

Criteria – To qualify for SG Trade Marks Fast, the application must be:

1. A national trade mark application (i.e., filed directly with IPOS via Form TM4 – Application to register a trade mark); and
2. Not for a certification or collective mark.

Procedure – The acceleration request must be made at the point of filing Form TM4 with the payment of the acceleration fee. For trade mark applications with multiple classes, the acceleration request will automatically apply to all classes in the application.

Fees – The fees for SG Trade Marks Fast are as follows:

1. For classes that fully adopt pre-approved descriptions of goods and services from IPOS’ Classification Database: S$200 per class
2. For classes that partially or do not adopt pre-approved descriptions of goods and services from IPOS’ Classification Database Request for acceleration: S$250 per class

Concluding Words

The IPOS circulars clarify that the acceleration fees are subject to review and changes. The public will be notified of any changes before they are implemented.

IPOS has also highlighted that IP acceleration fees qualify for tax deduction, including the Enterprise Innovation Scheme, under which businesses conducting trade or business activities can claim enhanced tax deduction on qualifying IP registration costs. Alternatively, eligible businesses may convert qualifying expenditures into a cash payout to offset their innovation costs.

For more information, please see the following (available on the IPOS website at www.ipos.gov.sg):

• Registry of Patents Circular No. 1/2025: New Patents and Trade Marks Acceleration Programmes
• Registry of Trade Marks Circular No. 2/2025: New Patents and Trade Marks Acceleration Programmes

If you have further queries, please reach out to our Team members set out on this page.