IPOS to launch pilot expedited track for trade mark proceedings on 2 January 2025

18 December 2024

On 2 January 2025, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) will launch a pilot for an expedited track for certain proceedings before the Registrar of Trade Marks to progress faster than usual. Parties to proceedings filed on or after 2 January 2025 before the Registrar of Trade Marks can apply for the expedited track. It is an optional track that can only be activated with the consent of all parties. If only one party opts for it, the proceedings will not be placed on the expedited track. 

As the expedited track gives parties the option to reach an adjudicated outcome on their dispute sooner than usual, parties can expect a decision around nine months from the time a case is placed on the expedited track, if the requirements are met. Parties must commit to and meet the shorter deadlines under the expedited track (e.g. initiator’s evidence within two months), and limit the length of their evidence and written submissions (e.g. written submissions must not exceed 25 pages, excluding annexes). 

It is a pilot offered to a maximum of eight cases filed in 2025. Depending on the take up, IPOS may increase the number in 2026. 

IPOS has prepared a list of questions and answers on the IPOS website www.ipos.gov.sg to provide further information about the expedited track. 

Survey for pilot on expedited track 

IPOS welcomes feedback on the expedited track through a survey form. 

Simplified process for certain IP claims 

IPOS’ pilot expedited track for trade mark proceedings complements the existing optional track for intellectual property (“IP”) litigation under the Supreme Court of Judicature (Intellectual Property) Rules 2022 (“Rules”). Reflected as the “Simplified Process for Certain Intellectual Property Claims (“Simplified Process”) in the Rules, the optional track for IP litigation provides parties with a more affordable and expedited route to enforce their IP rights in Singapore. The Simplified Process came into force on 1 April 2022, and was first invoked in Tiger Pictures Entertainment Ltd v Encore Films Pte Ltd [2024] SGHC 39 (“Tiger case”).

To read more about the Simplified Process and the Tiger case, please refer to our articles “New Supreme Court of Judicature (Intellectual Property) Rules 2022 implementing optional track for IP litigation expected to be in force from 1 April 2022” and “Singapore High Court finds film distributor liable for copyright infringement in first case invoking Simplified Process for Certain IP Claims”.