The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) is on a mission to reduce examination backlogs and promote “quality filings.” Through the fee revisions implemented on September 1, 2025, and the upcoming procedural shifts on April 1, 2026, the landscape for inventors in the Lion City is becoming leaner and more precise.
At Exy Intellectual Property, we specialize in the “minutiae” of international IP. This reform is a clear signal: Singapore wants concise, well-drafted applications that get to the point.
The New Financial Reality for Patents
The 2025/2026 updates introduce a tiered cost structure that penalizes overly broad or complex applications.
| Feature | Old Rule (Pre-Sept 2025) | New Rule (Active Now) |
| Free Claim Threshold | 20 Claims | 15 Claims |
| Excess Claim Fee | S$40 per claim | S$80 per claim |
| Review of Negative Report | S$1,420 | S$2,150 (Rising to S$3,200 April 2026) |
| Renewal Fees | Base Rate | ~7% Increase Across All Years |
The “April 1st” Pivot: A Critical Deadline
As we move through March 2026, rights holders must prepare for the final phase of this reform. Starting April 1, 2026, excess claim fees will no longer be collected at the final grant stage. Instead, they will be due when responding to a Written Opinion.
This shift moves the financial burden earlier in the prosecution lifecycle, requiring businesses to make hard decisions about claim scope during the examination process rather than waiting for the finish line.
Strategic Recommendations for 2026
“Your brand is never yours until you claim it,” but in Singapore, you must claim it efficiently. We recommend three immediate actions:
- Draft to the “15” Benchmark: Align your Singapore filings with European standards (which also use a 15-claim threshold) to avoid the doubled excess fees.
- Voluntary Amendments: If your application is pending and has more than 15 claims, consider a voluntary amendment before requesting examination to lock in lower costs.
- Audit Non-Performing Assets: With the 7% increase in renewal fees, now is the time to perform a “cost-benefit” audit of your older patents to ensure they still align with your commercial vision.
Vision and Strategy with Exy IP
Navigating the shifting tides of the Singapore IP regime requires more than just compliance—it requires a partner who can turn these updates into a competitive advantage. At Exy IP, we provide the specialist vision to ensure your technology is protected with the precision Singapore demands.
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