Singapore: Analysing the ASEAN Patentscope project

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Singapore: Analysing the ASEAN Patentscope project

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has launched the ASEAN Patentscope making up-to-date online ASEAN patent data available to patent search firms, patent attorneys and innovators seeking to commercialise their innovations in the ASEAN region.

The ASEAN Patentscope project was started by the ASEAN Patent Examination Cooperation (ASPEC) Task Force in 2012 to enhance regional collaboration on research and development (R&D) activities and to encourage technological development among ASEAN countries. For the first time, a regional ASEAN patent database service has been made available to the public. Indonesia has contributed extensively to the project by hosting the regional patent database server. Singapore also played a leadership role to initiate the project through its chairmanship of the ASPEC Task Force.

The availability of online patent data brings government services closer to innovators by removing barriers of distance and paper searching to access quality technology resources. The ASEAN Patentscope can be accessed using the link at http://ipsearch.aseanip.org/.

The ASEAN Patentscope provides a number of powerful tools and features to assist users. These include bibliographic data search, view of published patent dossier information, search results in a customisable report, and translations into national languages. By simply entering a term or a phrase in English, it is possible to retrieve relevant patent documents, country-level patent filings by technology sector and related patent family information in the region.

The move builds on the ongoing ASEAN-WIPO collaboration to leverage WIPO software to support ASEAN innovation. This initiative will enable ASEAN to step up the innovation ladder and encourage innovators in the region to use the patent system for enhanced participation in regional and global business.

ASEAN doubled its share of the world's scientific literature from 1.37% (2006) to 2.43% (2015) according to the Asian Scientist (2016) with Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam sharply increasing their output of research papers. WIPO statistics also indicate that patents in ASEAN have increased more than 40% from 2012 to 2016.

The ASEAN Patentscope was developed in a framework which is modern and effective and should make a substantial contribution to enhancing access to ASEAN regional patent information.

collopy.jpg

Daniel Collopy


Spruson & Ferguson (Asia) Pte Ltd

152 Beach Road

#37-05/06 Gateway East

Singapore 189721

Tel: +65 6333 7200

Fax: +65 6333 7222

mail.asia@spruson.com

www.spruson.com



more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Former professional cricketer Ben Scott talks through the challenges of building a legal tech platform, transitioning from sportsman to entrepreneur and why he believes he has found a gap in the market
The benefits of offering a range of services, innovative enforcement approaches, and gradual AI adoption are all helping SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan develop its IP offering
Nick Redfearn, head of enforcement at Rouse and a classic car enthusiast, explains the sudden viral appearance of classic car restomod parts from China and the impact of IP in this new trade
Our 2026 rankings for Western Europe, taken with historical data, reveal that some European IP markets hardly change – while others are more fluid
Selina Hinchliffe, head of commercial services at Shakespeare Martineau, reflects on rejecting Cambridge, leading through empathy, and why authenticity matters more than fitting in
US corporates are using the UPC, but much of that work still flows to European boutiques. Last week’s merger, as well as others, could alter that dynamic
Publicly listed Australian group IPH delivered on its promise to profoundly shake up the Canadian market. Four years on, rivals have had time to adapt
IP practitioners debate whether new guidelines will make it more difficult to challenge a patent
Varuni Paranavitane says she is excited to bring ‘rounded expertise’ to the firm, which will have a solicitor in its ranks for the first time
Lawyers adapting to AI-driven recommendations are being pushed to demonstrate expertise publicly rather than simply relying on a polished website
Gift this article