Singapore-Vietnam Collaborative Search And Examination (CS&E) Programme

The Intellectual Property Offices of Singapore (IPOS) and Vietnam (IPVN) have launched a Collaborative Search and Examination (CS&E) pilot to accelerate patent search and examination for applicants looking to file in both countries. The pilot will run for two years from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2025.

Under the pilot, an applicant may initiate an application at either IPOS or IPVN and request for CS&E during search and examination at that office (the first office of filing). The first office will issue a CS&E report containing search and examination findings from the second office. The applicant may use the report to decide whether to pursue a corresponding application at the second office. Search and examination at the second office will be prioritised if the applicant makes a corresponding application within 2 months of the CS&E report.