The Singapore Registry of Trade Marks and Patents has been renamed the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore ("IPOS").
At the same time, its role as an Intellectual Property body has been expanded to include:
- Regulation and administration in the areas of trademarks and patents on top of its existing responsibilities in registering trademarks and granting patents. Copyright matters previously handled by the Law and Trade and Industry Ministries will now also be regulated and administered by IPOS;
- Drafting of new laws such as the Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits Act, with the help of the Attorney General’s Chambers;
- Gearing itself towards becoming a resource centre for intellectual property, providing commercial services to inventors, researchers and designers;
- Monitoring developments in intellectual property;
- Review of laws if necessary;
- Education of public and business on the importance of intellectual property; and
- Expediting intellectual property dispute resolution.
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