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No. S 436

Geographical Indications Act 2014

(ACT 19 OF 2014)

Geographical Indications
(Amendment) Rules 2020

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 84 of the Geographical Indications Act 2014, the Minister for Law makes the following Rules:

Citation and commencement

1. These Rules are the Geographical Indications (Amendment) Rules 2020 and come into operation on 5 June 2020.

Amendment of rule 4

2. Rule 4 of the Geographical Indications Rules 2019 (G.N. No. S 125/2019) (called in these Rules the principal Rules) is amended by deleting paragraph (3) and substituting the following paragraph:

“(3) Every document filed at the Registry must be filed in accordance with the requirements relating to its size, durability, legibility or format specified in any practice direction issued by the Registrar.”.

Amendment of rule 5

3. Rule 5 of the principal Rules is amended by inserting, immediately after paragraph (1), the following paragraph:

“(1A) The Registrar may modify any form in any particular case or class of cases.”.

Deletion of rule 7

4. Rule 7 of the principal Rules is deleted.

Amendment of rule 9

5. Rule 9 of the principal Rules is amended —

(a)

by inserting the word “or” at the end of paragraph (1)(a);

(b)

by deleting the word “; or” at the end of paragraph (1)(b) and substituting a full‑stop;

(c)

by deleting sub‑paragraph (c) of paragraph (1);

(d)

by deleting paragraph (2) and substituting the following paragraph:

“(2) Where the Act or these Rules authorise or require a party to give or send a document to, or serve a document on, another party (other than the Registrar), the giving, sending or service may be effected —

(a)	by post;
(b)	by hand;
(c)	by courier; or
(d)	subject to paragraph (3B), by sending an electronic communication of the document by any electronic means.”;

(e)

by deleting sub‑paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (3) and substituting the following sub‑paragraphs:

“(a)	by post;
(b)	by hand;
(c)	by courier; or
(d)	subject to paragraph (3B), by sending an electronic communication of the notice or other document by any electronic means.”;

(f)

by inserting, immediately after paragraph (3), the following paragraphs:

“(3A) Subject to paragraph (3B), the Registrar may, in a particular case, permit the giving, sending, filing or serving of a document in a manner other than provided by paragraph (1) or (2).

(3B) However, the use of electronic means under paragraph (2)(d), (3)(d) or (3A) must be with the consent (express or implied) of —

(a)	the party; or
(b)	the Registrar,

to whom the notice or other document is being given or sent, filed with or served by those means.”; and

(g)

by deleting paragraphs (6) and (7) and substituting the following paragraph:

“(6) Despite the availability of an address for service mentioned in rule 11 or 12, where any notice or other document is given or sent to or served on a person by sending an electronic communication in the manner permitted by paragraph (2)(d), (3)(d) or (3A), that notice or document is taken to have been duly given or sent to or served on the person.”.

New rule 83A

6. The principal Rules are amended by inserting, immediately after rule 83, the following rule:

“Extension of time limits in special circumstances

83A.—(1) Despite anything in these Rules, where the Registrar is of the opinion that there are —

(a)	circumstances beyond the control of a party concerned; or
(b)	other special circumstances,

the Registrar may, before the expiration of the period of time prescribed or allowed by or under these Rules for —

(c)	the giving, sending, filing or serving of any notice, application or other document; or
(d)	the doing of any act,

extend that period for one or more periods of time, and subject to conditions, as the Registrar thinks fit.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply where the Act specifies the circumstances in which the period of time for any matter referred to in paragraph (1)(c) or (d) may be extended.”.

Amendment of rule 87

7. Rule 87 of the principal Rules is amended by deleting paragraphs (3) and (4).

Made on 2 June 2020.

LOH KHUM YEAN

Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Law,
Singapore.

[LAW 52/001; AG/LEGIS/SL/117B/2020/1 Vol. 1]