In more detail
IPOS has extended the deadline for interested parties to submit descriptions of new goods and services to be added into IPOS' Database to 30 June 2024. For more information about this IPOS initiative, you can refer to our December 2023 client alert.
IPOS is currently reviewing submissions, and interested parties can continue to provide suggestions. On 26 January 2024, IPOS published a report as an update on this process, listing the suggested descriptions that have been accepted for addition into the Database as of January 2024. This list includes descriptions such as "research in the field of deepfake technology" (Class 42), "botanical extracts, other than essential oils, for pharmaceutical purposes" (Class 5), "joggers [clothing]" (Class 25) and "biometric finger vein scanners" (Class 9). See all the accepted descriptions to date here.
You can contact IPOS at ipos_enquiry@ipos.gov.sg with the subject "Suggestions for IPOS' Classification Database" for any clarifications. However, submissions of suggested descriptions are only accepted via the IPOS form.
Key takeaways
The current list of suggested descriptions that have been accepted shows that IPOS is willing to consider new specification items that were previously unacceptable, were only acceptable at the examiner's discretion and/or required submissions to overcome any objections raised during examination.
Brand owners should continue to review their portfolios, brands, and scope of goods and services within their business. They should consider whether to submit suggested descriptions of goods and/or services to IPOS to ensure sufficient coverage and protection of their brands and rights, and mitigate the likelihood of objections during examination.
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For further information and to discuss what this might mean for you, or for assistance with submissions to IPOS, please get in touch with your usual Baker McKenzie contact.
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