Singapore Patent Office

Singapore Patent Office: Things To Consider When Applying For A Patent

Knowing the requirements for the patentability of a certain invention or innovation is a key step toward a successful application for a patent in Singapore. Singapore patent office will likely grant a patent to someone whose invention is new, original and useful to the real world, and reject any patent applications that do not meet the said criteria.

What Are Patentable Inventions?

In general, there are three major criteria that an invention should meet to be patentable.

First, the invention should be new. It must not have been introduced to the public, whether in Singapore or any other country, in any way. The owner of the invention must keep it a secret until he has successfully made a patent application.

Second, the invention should be something that signifies an improvement over an existing product or procedure. The improvement should not be obvious to anyone who is adept in the art in the industrial field where the invention can be used; otherwise, the property would not be considered inventive.

Finally, the invention should be useful and have some sort of industrial application. It must be something that can be used practically in any industry.

Singapore patent office also rejects patent applications for certain inventions that are considered non-patentable. For instance, inventions of treatment procedures for the human or animal body through surgical means, or any ways of diagnosis practiced on the body of a person or an animal, are not patentable as they do not have industrial application.

Furthermore, any invention that is generally considered to encourage immoral, offensive or anti-social behavior cannot be patented even if it meets the three major criteria.

Benefits Of Applying For A Patent

It is possible for inventions to be used, imitated or made without the owner’s consent. Hence, applying for a patent at Singapore patent office is the most effective way for an individual to seek legal protection for his invention.

A patent granted in Singapore allows the owner of the invention to exercise his legal rights throughout the city-state against anyone who might exploit his invention without his authorization.