Singapore legislation
Section 104
Section 104
Registration of patent agents and foreign patent agents
(1)
The Minister may make rules for the registration of individuals as patent agents or as foreign patent agents.
(2)
Without limiting subsection (1), the rules may provide —
for the keeping, by such person as the Minister may determine, of a register of patent agents and a register of foreign patent agents;
for the form and manner of application for registration as a patent agent or as a foreign patent agent, the qualifications and other requirements for registration, the fees payable for registration, and the conditions of registration;
for the issue of practising certificates to registered patent agents;
for the correction of errors and updating of entries in the register of patent agents and the register of foreign patent agents; and
for transitional matters in relation to the registration of individuals as patent agents or as foreign patent agents, and exclude or vary the operation of this Act in relation to such transitional matters.
(3)
The rules may make provision to regulate the professional conduct of registered patent agents, registered foreign patent agents and the practices of registered patent agents and registered foreign patent agents and, for that purpose, may make provision for and in relation to all or any of the following:
making complaints against registered patent agents and registered foreign patent agents and hearing and deciding upon such complaints;
imposing penalties on registered patent agents and registered foreign patent agents, including issuing a reprimand, and suspending or cancelling registration;
summoning witnesses;
receiving evidence from persons on oath or affirmation;
administering oaths or affirmations to persons giving evidence;
requiring persons to produce documents or articles;
restoring any registration that has been cancelled and lifting the suspension imposed on any registration.
(4)
The rules may provide that a contravention of the rules shall be an offence and may provide penalties not exceeding a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.