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ASPEC

Accelerate commercial patent discovery and expansion from Hong Kong across Southeast Asian software and technology markets using work-sharing frameworks.
Patent

Overview

What is ASPEC+?

While the original ASPEC (ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation) has been around for years, the new ASPEC+ is an optional "premium" route. Instead of waiting for one country to approve your patent before asking others to follow suit, ASPEC+ allows participating patent offices to work together at the same time. The goal? Highly aligned results and faster approvals—aiming for a timeline of 10 to 14 months.

Strategy

ASPEC vs. ASPEC+: Which fits your strategy?

特點
Regular ASPEC
ASPEC+ (The New Route)
申請流程
Sequential: You use a win in one country to speed up the others.
Parallel: Multiple offices coordinate their review from the start.
Timing
Can be requested after a positive report is issued.
Must be requested at the start (before any reports are issued).
Consistency
Results are usually similar, but reviews happen at different times.
Offices aim for identical or closely aligned results simultaneously.
Best For
Testing the waters in one market first.
Rapid

ASPEC

Key Rules for ASPEC+

To benefit from this coordinated "team-up" between patent offices, there are a few specific requirements:

Same Claims

Your patent claims must be identical or very similar across all selected countries.

Clean Slate

You must file the ASPEC+ request before any of the chosen offices have issued their first examination report.

No Extra Official Fees

There is currently no additional official fee to join ASPEC+ (though standard national filing fees still apply).

National Exceptions

Some restrictions remain. For example, the Philippines excludes pharmaceutical patents from ASPEC+, and Malaysia excludes divisional applications.

Summary

Summary Table: Which Path to Choose?

Client Objective
Recommended Route
Speed to Market: Need protection in 12 months for a product launch.
ASPEC+
Risk Mitigation: Invention is complex or in a "grey area" of law.
Regular ASPEC (Sequential)
Budget Efficiency: Want to minimize total attorney hours across 5+ countries.
ASPEC+ (Harmonized responses)
Budget Sensitivity: Want to pay for one country at a time to test the market.
Regular ASPEC

Conclusion

How Accolade Can Help

Navigating the IP landscape across 10 different ASEAN nations requires more than just filing paperwork; it requires a regional roadmap. With our deep roots in Hong Kong and expertise across the Asia-Pacific, Accolade helps you turn these regulatory changes into competitive advantages.

We support your ASEAN expansion by:

Strategic Audits

Determining if ASPEC+ or the regular route better suits your specific invention and budget.

Office Selection

Advising which ASEAN jurisdictions to prioritize based on your market-entry goals.

Harmonized Responses

If an objection arises, we coordinate a consistent response across all offices to keep your applications on track.

Global Integration

Aligning your ASEAN filings with your broader international strategy (including PCT pathways).

Ready to protect your innovation in ASEAN?

Contact our patent team today to discuss how ASPEC+ can accelerate your growth.