PATENTS LAW (Amending Legislation)

Mr Goh Chee Wee: To ask the Minister for Law whether he is taking steps to introduce legislation to amend the patents law which grants protection only to patents which are granted in the United Kingdom; whether he is aware that, with the coming into effect of the international patent conventions, the United Kingdom has amended its patents law making it possible to grant protection in the United Kingdom to patents registered in other countries; and how long and what approach his Ministry will take in the drafting of amending legislation not only to correct the anomaly but also to provide legal protection to encourage research and development.

Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe (Geylang Serai): Question No. 4, Sir.

The Minister for Law (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, our current law on patents is the Registration of the United Kingdom Patents Act (Cap. 199) which merely provides for the registration of only United Kingdom patents, provided such applications are made within three years from the date of issue in the United Kingdom Patent Office.

I am aware of the enactment of the Patent Act, 1977, in the United Kingdom on 1st June, 1978, which was partly the consequence of inter-governmental collaboration between countries of western Europe and internationally.

The subject of patent law is highly technical in nature and involves complex legal ramifications. Singapore does not have the manpower - the experts required to set up our own independent patent system, involving a full examination by qualified examiners.

An in-depth study, having regard to international conventions, changes in the low in the United Kingdom and more importantly, to our own economic needs, is necessary before decisions can be made on the manner in which our law should be amended. Various options, which are open to us, need to be carefully evaluated to ascertain how best to proceed in the matter.

My Ministry and the Ministry of Trade and Industry consider that we should seek expert assistance from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) with the objec- tive of drawing up a suitable patent system to suit our resources and needs. Towards this end, we are considering sending a study mission, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research, the Science Council, the Patents Office, and the Attorney-General's Chamber, to visit WIPO headquarters in Geneva, to ascertain what facilities and expertise are available there to help us in this task. The drafting of amending legislation can only be done after the study is completed.

It is thus not possible for me at this juncture to give the Member for Boon Lay any time-frame for the completion of the study or to indicate the manner in which the law will need to be altered.