INTRODUCTION
Before 23 February 1995, patent protection in Singapore was obtained by way of re-registration of a UK patent grant. Any party desiring protection in Singapore had to first secure a UK grant, which could arise out of:
- a national application at the UK Patent Office;
- a regional application at the European Patent Office; or
- an international application under the Patent Co-operation Treaty ("PCT") which subsequently proceeded via the UK national phase or the European regional phase.
With effect from 23 February 1995, Singapore implemented a new independent patent system, which allows for:
- national filings in Singapore, with or without priority date claims from earlier applications filed in Paris Convention countries;
