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These guidelines signify the continued close cooperation between the IPOS and the MISTI, and are formed as part of a push by the IPOS to expedite the process of obtaining Intellectual Property ("IP") protection over creations in Cambodia and Singapore.
These guidelines also complement the recent announcement on the acceleration of patent and trade mark applications under the SG IP Fast Track Programme. Further information on the SG IP Fast Track Progamme can be found in our August 2020 IP Newsletter here.

The IPOS has also launched other initiatives to assist enterprises in obtaining quicker IP protection. These include initiatives such as "Growing with Resilience Through InTanglibles" ("GRIT"), an inter-agency initiative to partner businesses and communities to better manage and monetise their intangible assets and IP in the COVID-19 environment, and the "Workforce for IP-Savvy Enterprises" ("WISE"), an initiative to help firms identify new business opportunities and build IP capabilities.

In more detail

To provide greater support to designers seeking protection in Singapore and Cambodia, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore ("IPOS") and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation ("MISTI") in Cambodia have developed a set of guidelines on the recognition and acceleration of design registrations in Singapore and Cambodia.
The guidelines set out the relevant criteria for applicants to: 

• re-register their Singapore designs at MISTI; or
• accelerate the registrations of their Cambodia designs at IPOS.

For a Singapore registered design to be eligible for design re-registration at MISTI, the Singapore registered design must:

1. be an earlier filing claimed in the Cambodian design application;
2. have a filing date on or after 27 August 2020; and
3. meet the design requirements for registration in Cambodia.

For a Cambodia registered design to qualify for accelerated design registration at IPOS, the Cambodian registered design must:

1. be an earlier filing claimed in the Singapore design application;
2. have a filing date on or after 27 August 2020; and
3. meet the design requirements for registration in Singapore.

Further details on the requirements for Design Registration can be found here. More information about the recognition scenarios can be found here.

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