Choosing the right patent agent, patent attorney or IP lawyer in Singapore is a crucial step in protecting your invention.

Under Section 105 of the Patents Act 1994, only individuals who are registered patent agents holding a current practising certificate may carry on business, practise or act as patent agents in Singapore.

This means that only registered Singapore patent agents may draft patent specifications, prepare, file and prosecute patent applications, advise on patentability, ownership, validity and infringement and represent clients before the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) in matters relating to patents.

While some IP consultants, intellectual property lawyers or patent lawyers in Singapore advise on IP strategy, contracts or litigation, they are not automatically entitled to perform these specialised patent-agency functions unless they are also registered Singapore patent agents. Engaging a registered patent agent ensures that your representative is properly qualified and legally authorised to handle every aspect of patent prosecution before IPOS.

Why Work with a Registered Singapore Patent Agent?

Engaging a registered Singapore patent agent offers important legal and professional safeguards. Registered agents must comply with the Code of Conduct for Patent Agents under the Patents (Patent Agents) Rules 2001, meet IPOS’s ethical and competency standards and hold professional indemnity insurance as a condition of their practising certificates.

Communications with registered patent agents are protected by legal professional privilege under Section 95 of the Patents Act 1994, giving clients the same confidentiality as solicitor–client advice. By contrast, advice from unregistered advisers or overseas patent lawyers who are not on the Singapore register may not be privileged and could be disclosable in local proceedings.

Only registered patent agents are authorised to act before IPOS. This statutory framework ensures that your patent work is handled by a qualified, accountable and insured professional.

Two Categories of Patent Agents in Singapore

Under the Patents (Patent Agents) Rules 2001, there are two categories of patent agents on the IPOS Register of Patent Agents.

The first comprises technically qualified patent agents, who must meet the requirements of Rule 6(2). They hold a degree in science or engineering, complete an approved IP qualification, complete at least twelve months of supervised practical experience and pass the Patent Agents Qualifying Examination (PAQE). The PAQE is demanding, with pass rates of around 22–25% across its four papers, ensuring consistently high standards of competence in both law and technology.

The second category consists of grandfathered patent agents admitted under transitional provisions that applied between 2 January and 2 October 2002. They were allowed to join the register based on prior practice without meeting the new examination requirements. Although these provisions expired long ago, a signicant number of grandfathered agents remain on the register.

Why the Distinction Matters — Patent Agents Versus Patent Lawyers

The distinction between technically qualified and grandfathered patent agents is more than historical.

A technically qualified patent agent combines scientific or engineering training with specialist legal knowledge. This enables them to understand inventions, identify inventive concepts and draft precise patent specifications that can withstand examination. They can engage directly with inventors and R & D teams, anticipate examiner objections and craft claims that offer strong and commercially relevant protection.

By contrast, a grandfathered agent or IP lawyer without a technical background may understand patent law but rely on others to explain the underlying technology. They will typically not be able to draft patent specifications and may need to outsource the work to technically qualified patent agents. This can make it harder to capture the nuances of an invention and can lead to claims that are either too narrow to be useful or too broad to be defensible. In technology-driven fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, electronics or software, technical understanding is critical for effective patent drafting and prosecution.

If you are unsure of an agent’s qualifications, check the IPOS Register of Patent Agents. Those registered from 2003 onwards are generally technically qualified by examination, while those from 2002 or earlier were typically admitted under the transitional rules. You may also ask directly about their degrees and industry or research experience.

Choosing Between a Patent Agent and an IP Lawyer

When seeking professional help, it is important to understand that a patent lawyer or intellectual property lawyer may advise on IP strategy, contracts or litigation, but only a registered patent agent can perform the activities reserved under Section 105 of the Patents Act 1994. These include drafting patent specifications, preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, advising on patentability, ownership, infringement and validity and representing clients before IPOS in connection with patent proceedings.

A registered patent agent can therefore perform many of the same functions as an IP lawyer but is uniquely qualified to undertake these statutory activities and manage the entire lifecycle of a patent. For businesses developing new technologies, instructing a technically qualified Singapore-registered patent agent ensures that advice is accurate, privileged and compliant with Singapore law.

Before engaging an agent or lawyer, ask about their qualifications. Confirm whether they are technically qualified, what degrees they hold and what experience they have in your field. A competent professional will readily explain their credentials.

The Cantab IP Difference

All the patent attorneys at Cantab IP are both technically and legally qualified. Each holds a degree in science or engineering, with one qualified to PhD level, is a registered Singapore patent agent and maintains a current practising certificate with full professional indemnity insurance. Communications with Cantab IP’s patent attorneys are therefore protected by legal professional privilege under Section 95 of the Patents Act 1994.

This combination of scientific education, professional accreditation, statutory privilege and insurance protection ensures that clients receive informed, confidential and reliable advice at every stage of the patent process. From invention disclosure to patent grant, Cantab IP’s attorneys provide clear, effective representation before IPOS and overseas patent offices, backed by Singapore’s legal and regulatory safeguards.

For more information about our patent services, visit Cantab IP’s Patents page or consult the IPOS Register of Patent Agents.

Summary

Selecting the right patent agent, patent attorney or IP lawyer in Singapore is essential for securing reliable patent protection. Only registered Singapore patent agents are authorised to act before IPOS and to provide advice protected by legal professional privilege under Singapore law. Within the register, technically qualified patent agents offer the highest assurance of technical understanding, drafting skill and compliance with professional standards.

Working with a technically qualified, registered and insured patent attorney such as those at Cantab IP ensures that your inventions are handled by professionals who combine scientific training with legal expertise and deliver advice that is confidential, accurate and commercially focused.

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