ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation

ASPEC

ASPEC AIM

^{ASPEC Acceleration for Industry 4.0 Infrastructure and Manufacturing}

PCT-ASPEC

^{Patent Cooperation Treaty-ASPEC}

Feature

Rely on national written opinion or final examination report issued by participating IP Offices

Prioritise Industry 4.0 patent applications for 1st office actions to be issued within 6 months

Broaden the use of ASPEC to rely on PCT reports issued from an ASEAN ISA/IPEA

Duration and Capacity

Since 2009

Acceptance of written opinion will be implemented for ASPEC request made on or after 15 June 2021

Pilot extended (27 August 2019 to 26 August 2025)

50 applications per year

Pilot extended (27 August 2019 to 26 August 2025)

100 applications per year

Type of Invention

All types

Inventions related to Industry 4.0

(Refer to the applicable IPCs [XLSX, 12.9 KB] )

All types

Qualifying criteria

ASPEC request can be filed at any participating IP Office if you have

(i) filed a corresponding patent application for the same invention in any other participating IP Office and
(ii) Written opinion or final examination report issued by one of the participating IP Offices with at least one allowable claim

Scope

Applicable to written opinion or final examination report established by participating IP Offices.

If IPOS is first IP Office, the result will be based on:

• a request for a search report (from Patent Form 10); or

• a request for a S&E report (from Patent Form 11); or

• a request for an examination report (from Patent Form 12)

Applicable if the first IP Office determines that the invention is related to Industry 4.0

Applicable to PCT reports established by ASEAN ISA/IPEA but not extended to supplementary international search reports

Fee

No additional fee

Time period to file ASPEC request

Any time before final decision of grant or refusal

Procedures and documentation required

1. File the following documents in the second IP Office:

• Completed ASPEC Request Form where applicable^[2]

• Copy of the written opinion or final examination report of a corresponding patent application

• Copy of claims referred to with at least one allowable claim

If relying on a written opinion for ASPEC

2. Email (PT_acceleration@ipos.gov.sg) and the second IP Office ASPEC focal point [PDF, 233 KB] with the following information:

1. Application no. from first IP Office;

2. Desired second IP Office and application no. in the Second IP Office;

3. Date of request; and

4. Applicant.

1. File the following documents in the second IP Office:

• Completed ASPEC Request Form where applicable^[3] (To indicate it is an ASPEC AIM request in the ASPEC form or cover letter)

• Copy of the written opinion or final examination report of a corresponding patent application

• Copy of claims referred to with at least one allowable claim

2. Email (PT_acceleration@ipos.gov.sg) and the second IP Office ASPEC AIM focal point [PDF, 233 KB]^[3] with the following information:

1. Application no. from first IP Office;

2. Desired second IP Office and application no. in the Second IP Office;

3. Date of request; and

4. Applicant.

1. File the following documents in the second IP Office:

• Completed ASPEC Request Form where applicable^[2] (To indicate it is an PCT- ASPEC request in the ASPEC form or cover letter)

• Copy of written opinion or international preliminary examination report established by an ASEAN ISA/IPEA for a corresponding patent application (International Search report should also be provided where applicable.)

• Copy of claims referred to with at least one allowable claim

2. Email (PT_acceleration@ipos.gov.sg) and second IP Office PCT-ASPEC focal point [PDF, 233 KB]^[3] with the following information:

1. PCT application no;

2. Desired second IP Office and application no. in the second IP Office;

3. Date of request;

4. Applicant.