Singapore’s Intellectual Property Office (IPOS) has introduced Patents Acceleration programmes beginning 20 May, 2025. This initiative is designed to expedite office actions for applicants, providing faster processing times for patents.
Evolution from Previous Programmes
The newly launched SG Patents Fast programme represents the next generation of IPOS’s acceleration services. This programme builds upon the foundation established by the SG IP FAST pilot programme, which successfully operated until 31 December, 2024. Based on valuable industry feedback, IPOS has refined these offerings to feature more accessible eligibility requirements and enhanced user experience, making them more beneficial for enterprises and innovators across Singapore.
The development of these streamlined programmes directly responds to industry input, where stakeholders acknowledged the value of the previous SG IP FAST programme while identifying opportunities for improvement and broader accessibility.
SG Patents Fast Programme Overview
The SG Patents Fast programme empowers applicants to receive expedited office actions through a flexible, tiered approach. Understanding that different applicants have varying urgency requirements, the programme offers two distinct acceleration tracks that allow filers to select their preferred timeline based on business needs.
Available Acceleration Options
SG Patents Fast 4 provides the most rapid processing available, delivering the first office action within four months of a successful application. This option serves applicants with time-sensitive patent needs who require the fastest possible initial review.
SG Patents Fast 8 offers a balanced approach, providing the first office action within eight months of application approval. This track accommodates applicants who value acceleration but can work within a slightly extended timeframe.
Regardless of which initial track applicants choose, all subsequent office actions under the SG Patents Fast programme will be processed within four months of successful application, ensuring consistent rapid processing throughout the examination cycle.
Qualification Requirements and Application Process
To ensure efficient processing while maintaining examination quality, the SG Patents Fast programme establishes specific eligibility criteria. Applications must not be divisional applications within Singapore’s patent system, helping streamline the examination workflow.
The programme also implements a practical limit requiring that acceleration requests contain no more than twenty claims. This threshold balances comprehensive patent protection with manageable examination complexity, ensuring that accelerated applications can be processed effectively within the promised timeframes.
Applicants seeking acceleration must submit their request using the appropriate Official Forms and must include the required acceleration fee to activate the expedited processing.
An additional benefit extends to successful SG Patents Fast applicants, who automatically qualify for acceleration of subsequent office actions when submitting responses. This feature ensures that the acceleration benefits continue throughout the examination process, maintaining momentum from initial application through final resolution.