The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) has announced upcoming revisions to its official fees, effective from 1 September 2025. These adjustments, detailed in its most recent circular, aim to reflect evolving operational costs and ensure the continued efficiency and quality of IP services in Singapore. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the changes across various IP rights, highlighting key impacts for applicants and practitioners.
Patents : A Shift Towards Fewer Claims?
The most significant fee adjustments are observed in the excess claims fees for patent applications. Currently, patent claims in excess of 20 are charged a fee of $40 per claim. From 1 September 2025 onwards, IPOS will increase the charges such that patent claims in excess of 15 will be charged a fee of $80 per claim. This will impact patent applicants financially when they file their examination request. Presently, applicants are not required to pay excess claims fees until after examination concludes and the grant fee is due. Below is an example of a patent application that has 21 claims, for illustrative purposes:
| Current fee structure | New fee structure(If examination is requested on or after 1 September 2025, i.e. via Patents Form PF11 or PF12) | ||
| Excess claims fees payable with the PF11 or PF12: $0 | Excess claims fees payable when subsequently paying the grant fee (via Form PF14): $40 x 1 = $40 | Excess claims fees payable with the PF11 or PF12: $80 x 6 + $480 | Excess claims fees payable when subsequently paying the grant fee (via Form PF14): $0 |
Practical Implications
As the increase in payable fees can be quite significant, applicants who wish to minimize their costs are advised to file the request for examination ahead of 1 September 2025 if their application contains more than 15 claims. Alternatively, they can amend their application to reduce the number of claims.
Moving forward, we would suggest that future applicants aiming to avoid excess claims fees entirely should consider limiting their total claim count to 15 at the stage of drafting the application. This aligns with current European drafting recommendations, as the European Patent Office levies a similar excess claims fee beyond a 15-claim threshold.
Patent Renewal Fee adjustment
Another change to note is that patent renewal fees will see a significant increase, especially as the patent matures along towards its 20th year. For instance, renewal fees for later years of a patent’s life will see a more pronounced rise compared to earlier years. This strategic shift seems to discourage the prolonged holding of unused patent rights, thereby promoting a more dynamic IP landscape. This incentivizes patentees to critically evaluate the commercial viability of their inventions over time.
Trademarks: Minor Adjustments
Trademark fees will also experience some upward revisions, though generally less dramatic than those for patents. Renewal fees for trademarks are set to increase across the board, while application fees will be increased where the specifications are not fully adopted from IPOS’ pre-approved classification database. Another important change to note is that the first and second request for extension of time (for example to respond to a trademark office action) will no longer be free; a tiered system of “penalty” fees will be imposed to deter applicants from delaying their response to the office action.
| Form | Description | Current Fee (SGD) | New Fee (SGD) |
| TM4 | Application to register a trade mark, collective mark or certification mark for classes whose specifications are not fully adopted ¹ from pre-approved database | $380 per class of goods or services | $410 per class of goods or services |
| Form | Description | Current Fee (SGD) | New Fee (SGD) |
| TM19 | (a) renewal of registration (on or before expiry) | $440 per class of goods or services | $480 per class of goods or services |
| (b) late renewal of registration | $645 per class of goods or services | $700 per class of goods or services | |
| (c) restoration of registration | $705 per class of goods or services | $770 per class of goods or services |
These changes are intended to align with the administrative costs associated with processing and maintaining trademark registrations, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the trademark register. Businesses should factor these revised costs into their branding and protection strategies.
Designs: Harmonizing with International Standards
Fees related to industrial designs will also be adjusted. These changes are part of IPOS’s ongoing efforts to harmonize its fee structure with international norms and best practices. Applicants seeking design protection should anticipate slightly higher costs for filing and renewal, reflecting the value and exclusivity conferred by registered designs.
Plant Varieties Protection: Lowered Costs
Perhaps the only class of intellectual property that will see the bright side of the latest fee revisions: Plant Varieties Protection will have lowered costs for the application fee, which falls from the current $1600 to $750. This is ostensibly to encourage more applicants to protect this class of IP rights.
General Impact and Strategic Considerations
The announced fee increases are a necessary measure to ensure IPOS’s long-term sustainability and its ability to provide high-quality services. The additional revenue will likely be reinvested into enhancing IT infrastructure, improving examination processes, and expanding public education initiatives.
For applicants and businesses, these changes necessitate a review of their IP strategies. Proactive planning will be crucial, especially for those with extensive patent portfolios. Considerations should include:
- Portfolio Rationalization: Evaluate existing patent portfolios to identify underutilized assets. The increased renewal fees may prompt a decision to let some patents lapse if their commercial value no longer justifies the maintenance costs.
- Budgeting: Adjust budgets for future IP filings and renewals. Early forecasting will help mitigate the financial impact of the new fee structure.
- Timely Filings: For applications nearing their filing deadlines, consider filing before 1 September 2025 to take advantage of the current fee rates.
Our Expertise
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 how these fee adjustments 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