Everything you need to know about paying your patent renewal fees in Singapore

How to Renew a Patent in Singapore?

While a patent is in the pending application stage, no renewal fees are due. Once a patent is granted in Singapore, you are obliged to pay a recurring renewal fee to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) to maintain the patent.The first renewal fee will be due annually starting from the fourth anniversary of the patent’s filing date upon the grant of the patent.‍

For example: if the filing date of a patent is 1.06.2013 and the grant date of the patent is 10.01.2017. You will only have to settle the first renewal fee on the fourth anniversary of the patent’s filing date on 1.06. 2017. The next annuity will be due renewal on 1.06.2018 (from the anniversary of filing date). ‍

In the event that the patent was granted after 45 months from the date of filing, you will have to settle the renewal fees within three months from the grant of the patent. The renewal due date for all subsequent renewals will fall on the anniversary of the filing date. ‍

For example: if the filing date of a patent is 1.06.2013 with 45th month on 1.03.2017 and the grant date of the patent is 1.04.2017. You will have to settle the first renewal fee for the fourth anniversary of the patent on 1.7. 2017. The next annuity will be due renewal on 1.06.2018 (from the anniversary of filing date). ‍

Renewal Fees by Intellectual Property Type

In Singapore, there is one other type of intellectual property apart from patents, known as Designs. At PatentRenewal.com, we have all the necessary tools and procedures to ensure that they can be renewed through us. ‍

Intellectual Property type #1 - Designs in Singapore‍

A design right in Singapore is valid for 25 years, from the filing date. The renewal fees of a design right are due after the fifth, tenth, fifteenth and twentieth year. However, The extension for the third and fourth periods of 5 years are only applicable to designs originally registered in the United Kingdom and which have been extended in Singapore.For all other registered design cases the term of protection is for a maximum period of 15 years. Initially, a registered design is protected for 5 years. In order to maintain the protection beyond the initial 5 year period, one will have to pay renewal fees at the beginning of the 6th year in order to extend the protection term of a further 5 years.

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Written and Edited by Kumari Rupali Bansal & Christina Botes

Patent Renewal Fee Intervals in Singapore

Starting from the 4th anniversary of the filing date, patent renewal fees need to be paid annually to maintain a granted patent. For further clarification, please refer to the cost breakdown below;

Patent Year	Official Renewal Fee for Patent (SGD)
1
2
3
4	140
5	140
6	140
7	140
8	370
9	370
10	370
11	520
12	520
13	520
14	670
15	670
16	670
17	820
18	820
19	820
20	970

Singapore Patent Renewal Fees FAQ

When is the first patent renewal fee due in Singapore?

The first renewal fee is paid after they have granted the patent in Singapore.The first renewal of a granted patent is due on the fourth anniversary of the patent’s filing date. The renewal fee is intended to maintain the patent in force for the upcoming 5th year. ‍

For example: if the filing date of a patent is 1.06.2013 and the grant date of the patent is 10.01.2017. You will only have to settle the first renewal feeon the fourth anniversary of the patent’s filing dateon 1.06. 2017.The next annuity will be due renewal on 1.06.2018 (from the anniversary of filing date).

What happens to a patent in Singapore before it has been granted?

Prior to a patent being granted in Singapore, it falls into what is known as the filing stage. A patent in Singapore is typically granted between two to four years from the filing date. You will only start paying renewal fees in Singapore when the patent becomes granted.

What are the due dates and payment windows?

The payment window opens three months before the renewal fees are due. No renewal fees can be settled prior to this window opening.

Can I renew a patent after I miss a renewal deadline?

There is a 6 month grace period given, whereby the renewal fees can still be settled. When entering this grace period, you will incur a penalty fee in addition to that of the initial annual fee for the corresponding year. The penalty fee for late payment is 50 SGD within 1 month of the grace period and increases by +100 SGD for each succeeding month. The penalty fee for the late payment for the sixth month is therefore 350 SGD. Failure to settle this fee during the grace period will lead to the patent being expired.

Do I need assistance from the local council?

You can either appoint a registered patent agent with the Singapore Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). Alternatively, one can also send renewal fees if one has a residential address in Singapore.The fees can be paid online and the payments can be made through internet banking, credit/debit card or through their interbanking system GIRO.

How long do patents last in Singapore?

In order to maintain a patent in Singapore, renewal fees need to be settled annually with the IPOS. By settling the renewal fees, the patent is guaranteed to last for a maximum of 20 years from the filing date. If you want to maintain the patent, the renewal fees are mandatory, if not paid the patent will lapse.