The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has officially announced via Circular No. 4/2026 that its Extension of Time (EOT) Pilot Initiative for patent search and/or examination (S&E) report requests has been extended by one year.
Who It Is For
This initiative targets patent applicants in Singapore whose prescribed deadline for filing S&E requests falls between 1 September 2024 and 31 August 2027 (both dates inclusive). It covers:
- Requests for search and examination reports under section 29(1)(b) of the Patents Act 1994.
- Requests for examination reports under section 29(1)(c) or section 29(3) of the Patents Act 1994.
Benefits & Key Advantages
18-Month Extension at Zero Cost: Qualified applicants can delay their prescribed S&E filing deadline by up to 18 months without paying any official EOT fees.
Commercial Strategy & Runway: Provides critical extra time to assess the commercial viability of your invention, secure additional funding, or review foreign search results (such as from EPO, USPTO, or PCT filings) before committing further capital to Singapore patent prosecution.
Flexibility in Cash Flow: Allows businesses to manage R&D and patenting budgets far more dynamically during uncertain economic periods.
Who It Is NOT For
Already Filed Applications: Applicants who have already submitted their search and/or examination requests with IPOS cannot retroactively apply this free 18-month extension to pending or completed requests.
Out-of-Window Deadlines: Patent applications with original S&E deadlines falling outside the eligible window (prior to 1 September 2024 or after 31 August 2027).
execution power of a CMO, CFO, and COO to small businesses that previously lacked such resources, Grab has successfully bridged the gap between complex IP and tangible merchant empowerment. This fosters a more resilient and diverse marketplace, benefiting both the local merchant ecosystem and the consumers they serve.
How Auriga IP Can Assist You
At Auriga IP, we help businesses strategically optimize their patent prosecution timelines:
- Deadline Audits: We evaluate your patent portfolio to determine if your upcoming S&E deadlines fall within the extended window (up to 31 August 2027).
- Strategic Delay Management: We advise whether taking advantage of the 18-month pause aligns with your commercial roadmap or foreign filing prosecution strategies.
- Seamless IPOS Filings: We ensure all required pilot extension requests are formally lodged before your current prescribed deadlines expire to avoid accidental rights forfeiture.
Interested in reviewing your patent deadlines to conserve budget or buy time for foreign search results? Reach out to our team at Auriga IP for a consultation today.
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Lionel is the founder of Auriga IP and is a registered Patent Attorney with 20+ years of experience in IP. He is skilled in patent drafting, prosecution, IP strategy, and due diligence. Lionel has helped diverse companies, from startups to MNCs like Razer and Grab, build innovation culture and manage IP to create significant value and assets.
Email: lionel.ser@aurigaip.com