In August 2025, ASEAN IP authorities announced that the ASPEC AIM pilot for Industry 4.0 patent applications would end when its term expired, while also signalling an upgraded mechanism for 2026. By 6 April 2026, the ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation Plus (ASPEC+) programme had officially gone live, building on the existing ASPEC framework with more closely harmonised patent reports and committed timelines, allowing applicants to choose ASEAN IP Offices based on market priorities and to aim for a first office action within 10 to 14 months.
From a brief commentary angle, this shows that ASEAN has not slowed regional patent cooperation. Instead, it has turned earlier acceleration experiments around AI- and Industry 4.0-related technologies into a more operational and predictable framework. For applicants planning coordinated filings in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam and other ASEAN markets, the new structure could reduce duplicated prosecution effort; but each office still decides under its own national law, so businesses still need country-by-country drafting, amendment and timing strategies.
