ePatents migration to Netrust Version 7 Digital Certificate

Date Added : 6-Oct-2008

In our continuing effort to serve you better, ePatents will be conducting a migration to the new Netrust v7 digital certificate. This new platform provides support for Windows 2000, XP and Windows VISTA and new USB cryptographic tokens.

During this migration exercise, ePatents online services will not be available during the migration period and a new version Electronic Patent Preparation (EPP) software v4.0 using the Netrust v7 digital certificate will be released. To facilitate an easy transition from Netrust v3 to v7, we have prepared the following information and instructions for you:


1. Collection of Netrust v7 token and Installation Guide CD

All existing registered users using their existing Netrust v3 certificates will need to collect the following at Netrust Pte Ltd from 7 to 17 October 2008 either in person or via a proxy. Details of the collection can be found in the document “Guidelines for ePatents migration to Netrust v7”.

At the Netrust office, users will receive the following:

a) Netrust v7 token (USB thumbdrive)
b) Installation Guide for Netrust v7 (CD)

The use of Netrust v7 token will commence from 9:00am, 13 October 2008 onwards. Should you need further assistance on the installation of Netrust v7, please contact Netrust at 62121388 or email to infoline@netrust.net.

2. The following application forms and guidelines from Netrust Pte Ltd have been sent to all ePatents subscribers’ registered email address.

a) Guidelines for ePatents migration to Netrust v7
b) Letter of authorization for proxy collection
c) Corporate NetID application form for ePatents migration

3. Cut-off date for EPP v3.3 submissions

For EPP submissions, the cut-off time for last payment via ePatents is at 12:00pm, 9 October 2008 (Thursday). All EPP v3.3 packages must reach IPOS office by 5:30pm, 9 October 2008 (Thursday).

4. Unavailability of ePatents online services

All ePatents online services (including OIS submission and ePatents Search) will not be available from 5:00pm, 10 October 2008 (Friday) to 9.00am, 13 October 2008 (Monday).

5. Resumption of ePatents online services

ePatents online submission (with EPP/OAP packages prepared using EPP Software v4.0) and ePatents Search will resume from 9.00am, 13 October 2008 (Monday) onwards.

6. Waiver of Service Bureau fees applies during this period

Between 5:00pm, 10 October 2008 (Friday) to 5:30pm, 13 October 2008 (Monday), all patent submissions will have to be filed manually with IPOS, with the service bureau fees waived.

7. Download of new EPP Software v4.0

With effect from 9:00am, 13 October 2008 (Monday), the following are available for download at http://www.epatents.gov.sg/General/download.asp

a) EPP Software v4.0
b) EPP User Manual and Release notes
c) ePatents User Guide


Should you require assistance with EPP installation, please contact ePatents Centre at 64909568 or email ePatents Centre at epatents@cse.com.sg.