From 1 September 2026, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) is officially resuming acceptance of new requests under the SG Patents Fast and SG Trade Marks Fast acceleration schemes.
Who It Is For
These fast-track initiatives are designed for forward-thinking enterprises, tech startups, and brand owners seeking to secure protection rapidly in Singapore:
- Patent Filers: Businesses filing non-divisional patent applications with 20 or fewer claims.
Brand Owners: Companies launching new national trademark applications looking to secure initial examination results or publication within 3 to 6 weeks.
Benefits & Key Advantages
Rapid Turnaround: Receive a patent first office action in as fast as 4 months (SG Patents Fast 4) or 8 months (SG Patents Fast 8), down from the standard multi-year timeline. Trademarks achieve first examination reports in 3 to 6 weeks.
- Commercial Agility: Swift IP grant unlocks early commercial certainty, supports investor fundraising, deters imitators, and safeguards upcoming seasonal product launches.
- Broader Flexibility: No overall monthly cap on accelerated applications across IPOS. Additionally, trademarks no longer require a linked patent or strict pre-approved goods/services descriptions.
Financial Incentives: Acceleration and official IP fees generally qualify for tax relief or government financial support (such as the Enterprise Innovation Scheme).
Who It Is NOT For
These accelerated routes are explicitly not intended for:
- Existing Search & Exam Applicants: Filers who have already submitted their search and examination requests (or trademark Form TM4 filings) prior to 1 September 2026 cannot retroactively apply these acceleration schemes.
- Complex Patent Filings: Applications containing over 20 claims or divisional applications.
Specific Trademark Types: Certification or collective mark filings.
Our Expertise
At Auriga IP, we guide clients through strategic application timing to maximize these speed pathways:
- Strategic Assessment: Evaluating your current portfolio to identify which pending or new filings are eligible for the 1 September reopening.
- Precision Drafting: Ensuring patent specifications have less than 20 claims and trademark classifications are optimized to prevent examiner objections and avoid forfeiting acceleration timelines.
- Turnkey Management: Executing Form 11, 12, or TM4 filings accurately alongside official acceleration fee payments.
Are you planning an upcoming filing or product launch that could benefit from fast-track protection? Contact our team today for a complimentary portfolio review.
Auriga IP has partnered with leading companies and innovative startups in Singapore and is committed to assisting our clients in navigating these evolving IP landscapes. We encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions or require further clarification on your patent filings or how it may impact your existing or prospective IP portfolio. Our team is ready to provide tailored advice and support to ensure your IP strategy remains robust and cost-effective.
Disclaimer: Please note that the content on aurigaip.com, including pages, articles, and comments, is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. The views expressed in published articles are solely those of the author at the time of publication and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the author’s employer, clients, or the sponsors of aurigaip.com
Petrina Tan is a Trainee Patent Attorney at Auriga IP and leverages her extensive experience and Biotechnology background to assist local and international clients. She provides cost-effective IP strategies, specializing in patents, trademarks, and registered designs, overseeing their full lifecycle from drafting to global management, ensuring robust protection in Singapore and abroad.
Email: petrina@aurigaip.com