Singapore and the Philippines introduce new patent and trademark rules
Singapore
New patent and trademark acceleration programmes were implemented in Singapore as of May 20, 2025, with the fast-stream programmes named “SG Patents Fast” and “SG Trade Marks Fast” respectively. These new expedited routes for the processing of IP applications replace the previously implemented “SG IP FAST” pilot programme, which concluded on December 31, 2024.
Patent
The accelerated patent registration programme consists of two routes, namely the SG Patents Fast 4 through which applicants will receive the first office action within four months of a successful patent application, and the SG Patents Fast 8, through which applicants will receive the first office action within eight months. Applicants are permitted to file up to five requests per month, though this limit does not apply to requests for accelerating subsequent office actions.
The fee for requesting an accelerated patent search and examination constitutes 1,800 SGD for the Fast 4 route, and 900 SGD for the Fast 8 route. If applicants wish to request accelerated examination only, a fee of 1,200 SGD applies for the Fast 4 route, and 600 SGD for the Fast 8 route.
All successful applications filed via the Patents Fast programme will qualify for the acceleration of subsequent office actions, which will be issued within four months. A flat fee of 150 SGD is payable for requesting the acceleration of all subsequent office actions.
The Patents Fast acceleration fees are all due in addition to the standard official fees for requesting search and examination for patents in Singapore.
In order to qualify for the Patents Fast scheme, a patent application must contain 20 or fewer claims and be filed alongside the request for search and/or examination. Divisional patent applications do not qualify for the Patents Fast programme.
Trademarks
The new Singaporean trademark acceleration route is aptly named “SG Trade Marks Fast”, and affords applicants the opportunity to receive the first examination report or publication notice within 3-6 weeks from the date of filing. Unlike the previous acceleration route, the new programme means that applicants are no longer obligated to file such requests alongside a related patent, or to fully utilise the pre-approved descriptions of goods/services from the Singaporean Classification Database.
The official fee for requesting an accelerated trademark examination through the Trade Marks Fast programme constitutes 200 SGD per class for those that fully adopt the IPOS’ pre-approved description of goods and services, and 250 SGD for classes that either partially accept, or do not adopt, the IPOS’ descriptions. These fees must be paid in addition to the standard official trademark filing fees.
In order to qualify for the Trade Marks Fast scheme, the application must be in relation to a national trademark filed directly with the IPOS, and acceleration must be requested alongside the filing of the application. Accelerated trademark examination will not be possible for certification or collective mark applications.
The recently implemented patent and trademark acceleration programmes are set to provide a simpler and broader route for the expedited examination of IP rights in Singapore. Whilst the acceleration of trademark applications can only be requested for national Singaporean applications filed directly with the IPOS, the scheme introduces the option for patent applications initially filed outside of the country to apply for expedited examination. In turn, these acceleration routes are hoped to encourage an increase in both national and international filings within the jurisdiction.
Philippines
April 28, 2025, marked the launch of a new system for the declaration and registration of well-known marks in the Philippines, implemented by new Rules and Regulations. In addition to introducing a non-adversarial administrative process for the recognition of well-known marks, the new Regulations also establish a Register of Well-Known Marks in the jurisdiction (“Register”).
Whilst the previously implemented IP Code of the Philippines allowed for the recognition of well-known marks, which are declared as such by a competent authority, a mark could only be officially considered as well-known through litigation such as opposition or infringement proceedings. The new Regulation bridges the gap, allowing for the official granting of well-known mark status through purely administrative procedures, eliminating the need for litigation.
Well-known marks in the Philippines are defined as marks declared by the competent authorities to be well-known based on the criteria set forth by the IP Code, Supreme Court issuances and the relevant Regulations.
As per the Regulations, a combination of several criteria will be used to determine if a mark is of well-known status, with some being mandatory elements. The mandatory criteria include adequate duration, extent and geographical area of any use of the mark, the market share, both in the Philippines and in other countries, of the goods or services to which the mark applies, the degree of the inherent or acquired distinction of the mark, and the quality, image or reputation acquired by the mark.
Other criteria that may be considered include the mark’s commercial value worldwide, and the outcome of any previous litigation concerning the well-known status of the mark (if any). In order to assess if a mark is of well-known status, officials will place more importance on the knowledge of the public in the relevant sector to which the mark relates, including any knowledge gained through promotion of the mark in the Philippines, as opposed to the general overall public opinion.
An application for the declaration of a well-known mark must include the usual required information for a trademark application, such as the applicant(s) details, drawings or representations of the mark, and the goods or services to which the mark relates. A fee of 50,000 PHP must be paid for the initial filing of the application, and a fee of 10,000 PHP will apply for each subsequent class.
In order to demonstrate the well-known status of a mark for consideration, applicants must provide evidence to show that the subject of the mark is well-known, alongside an affidavit confirming whether the applicant has any pending cases in which the well-known status of the mark is one of the issues to be resolved.
Applications for the declaration of a well-known mark can now be prosecuted ex parte by the applicant, unlike in the previous procedures. In the case of well-known marks, the examiner must make a preliminary recommendation to determine whether a mark is deemed as such. The examiner's decision will then be reviewed by the director of trademarks, who shall issue a decision on whether to declare the mark as well-known or to refuse the application.
Any marks which are declared as well-known in the Philippines will be published in the IPOPHL's Electronic Gazette. Third-party observations may be submitted within one month from the publication of the application, with the applicant permitted to respond through the usual channels. In case a Third-Party Observation is filed, the mark will only be recognised as a well-known mark once the decision declaring it as such becomes final. If no Third-Party Observation is made, the mark will automatically be considered well-known on the 31st day after its publication.
If granted well-known status, the Bureau of Trademarks will issue the applicant a Certificate of Well-Known Mark Declaration and record the declaration in the Register.
The introduction of new Regulations and procedures in relation to the registration of well-known trademarks signifies a commitment to the advancement of the IP field in the Philippines, strengthening trademark rights and encouraging applicants with well-known marks to file for protection in the jurisdiction.