How to file a trademark in Singapore?

To file a trademark in Singapore, you must register it with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Before submitting your application, it is important to ensure that all requirements set by IPOS are met.

What is a trademark in Singapore?

Trademarks Act states that “trade mark” means any sign capable of being represented graphically and which is capable of distinguishing goods or services dealt with or provided in the course of trade by a person from goods or services so dealt with or provided by any other person.

How to file a trademark in Singapore?

In Singapore, trademark applications and related documents must be filed in English with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). Any document submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by its English translation.

At our firm, we count on a team of multilingual translators to ensure accurate and reliable translations for trademark filings.

In order to secure a filing date in Singapore, the following information is needed:

Applicant’s name and address
Country of incorporation (if applicable)
A representation of the trademark
A list of goods and/or services
Priority claim, if you are claiming from an earlier application under the Paris Convention.
Payment of the corresponding official filing fee.

To initiate the process of filing a trademark in Singapore Click Here.

Check out how to file a patent in Singapore.

How is the process of a Trademark in Singapore?

Trademark availability search

Although a pre-filing trademark search is not mandatory, it is highly recommended, as availability searches greatly reduce the risk of objections or oppositions during the registration process.

Examination

After filing, trademark applications are examined in respect of:

Formalities: IPOS examines whether the application complies with all formal requirements, including accurate applicant information, a clear representation of the mark, and the correct classification of goods and services.
Substantive Examination: the examiner evaluates the distinctiveness of the mark and verifies whether it meets the substantive requirements of the Trade Marks Act, including freedom from prohibited elements and potential conflicts with prior trademarks.

If a trademark application does not meet the Trade Marks Act requirements, the IPOS will issue an office action asking the applicant to correct the deficiencies. If the deficiencies are not corrected before the corresponding deadline, the application will be considered withdrawn.

Opposition period

Publication: the application is published in the Trade Marks Journal for opposition purposes.
Opposition procedure: once the application is published there is a period of two months for third parties to file an opposition.
- The opponent files a Notice of Opposition (Form TM11) with the Registrar.
- At the same time, the opponent must serve a copy of the notice on the applicant.
- The applicant must file a response to the opposition within the prescribed time.
- Both parties exchange and file evidence and then the case is heard before the Registrar
- The IPOS issues a decision. The decision may be appealed to the High Court of Singapore.

Registration

If no oppositions are filed—or if opposition proceedings are resolved in favor of the applicant—IPOS grants registration and issues a certificate. Trademark protection lasts for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely in successive 10-year periods.

To maintain rights, the trademark must be used in Singapore. If the mark is not used for five consecutive years, it may be vulnerable to cancellation on grounds of non-use.

Duration of the procedure:

If you file a complete application and no oppositions arise, and if the examiner does not raise any objections regarding registrability or cite prior references, then the registration may be granted within five to seven months from the filing date. However, if oppositions are filed or the examiner points out formalities or reference objections, the application process may extend significantly. Typically, this extension lasts between 12 and 18 months and may ultimately conclude either with the registration being granted or refused.

Grant, validity term and maintenance fees

A registered trademark in Singapore is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods. To maintain protection, you must file the renewal application within six months before the expiration date or during the six-month grace period after expiration, subject to the payment of late fees.

Unlike the initial filing, trademark renewal in Singapore is a straightforward process. You do not need to submit a new Power of Attorney (POA) for renewal if one is already on file. However, if you are represented by a local trademark agent, they must ensure the POA is properly executed and retained. Certification or legalization of the POA is generally not required.

International treaties

International Treaties and Trademark Classification in Singapore

Singapore is a member of several key international treaties and conventions, including:

the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property;
the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks;
the Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks;
the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol); and
the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

Unlike some jurisdictions, Singapore allows multi-class applications, meaning applicants can file for multiple classes of goods and services within a single application. This system simplifies the process and reduces administrative costs for businesses seeking broad protection.

Representation by a trademark attorney

For foreign applicants, trademark prosecution in Singapore must be carried out through a locally registered trademark agent authorized to act before the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).

Goytia & Associates has local offices in key cities of the world to ensure the best quality of IP service. Our extensive coverage of +120 countries enables our clients to effectively manage multiple filings and cases through one centralized agent.