Lee Tat Cheng v Maka GPS Technologies Pte Ltd [2018] SGCA 18 Introduction In the recent decision of Lee Tat Cheng v Maka GPS Technologies Pte Ltd [2018] SGCA 18, the Singapore Court of Appeal (the “Court”) reaffirmed the law on patent construction in Singapore and clarified the Singapore position in relation to the UK […]
Fast-Tracked Fintech Patent Applications in Singapore
In line with Singapore’s vision to become a Smart Nation, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has launched a FinTech Fast Track (FTFT) initiative, effective from 26 April 2018 for a period of 12 months, in order to expedite the file-to-grant process for FinTech patent applications for as fast as 6 months. Normally, it […]
Updates to Vietnam Patent and Trademark Procedures
Following on from our previous article on patent updates in Vietnam, this piece serves to summarise the key amendments made to both patent and trademark procedures by the NOIP commencing January 2018. New regulations with regard to patent and trademark procedures in Vietnam came into force on 15th January 2018. These amended regulations aim to […]
Rectification of the Register – A Singapore Perspective
Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Co [2017] SGHC 322 I. Introduction In the recent case of Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd v Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Co [2017] SGHC 322, the Singapore High Court addressed, for the first time, key procedural issues associated with corrections to patent forms and priority data, as well as […]
Updates to Vietnam Patent Regime
New regulations with regard to patent applications in Vietnam came into force on 15th January 2018. These amended regulations aim to bring the Vietnamese intellectual property system in line with recent developments. Below are three of the main changes based on guidelines laid out in Circular No. 16/2016/TT-BKHCN from the Ministry of Science and Technology, […]
Is ‘Patent Working’ Information Confidential in India?
The very foundation of the patent system is a quid pro quo – a set of exclusive rights granted to a patentee in exchange for inter alia the patentee’s duty to fulfil the society’s reasonable requirements in relation to the invention (including the ‘working’ of the said invention within the jurisdiction). The Indian Patents Act […]
Singapore and China PPH Extension Keeps Up Accelerated and Dynamic Patent Procedure
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO) have extended their joint effort for fast and efficient patent protection through the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program. The extension agreement was signed on September 17, 2017 and will be effective until August 31, 2019. Mr. Daren Tang, Chief Executive […]
Brunei’s Patent Examination System to Increase Efficiency Through Agreement with Japan
On August 28, 2017, the Brunei Intellectual Property Office (BruIPO) signed an agreement to introduce a new patent examination initiative – the Patent Prosecution Highway Plus (PPH+) – with the Japan Patent Office (JPO), which will commence on October 1, 2017. Using this PPH+ system, patent prosecution procedures in Brunei are accelerated by allowing BruIPO […]
Post-Grant Amendments from Method of Treatment to Swiss-Style – The Singapore Position Clarified
Warner-Lambert Company LLC v Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2017] SGCA 45 Introduction In the landmark case of Warner-Lambert Company LLC v Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd [2017] SGCA 45, the Singapore Court of Appeal explored, inter alia, the permissibility of amending method of treatment claims to Swiss-style claims. Significantly, the matter was heard before a 5-Judge […]
Accelerated Examination in Philippines Through PPH Partnership with EPO
In recent years, the European Patent Office (EPO) has partnered with several domestic patent offices in Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programmes, with the aim of speeding up examination processes for corresponding applications filed in participating intellectual property offices. Recently, the EPO has launched new a PPH pilot programme with the patent office of the Philippines […]