The Step-By-Step Guide to Registering a Trademark with the Trademark Registry Singapore
Imagine spending years building your business, only to see someone else using your brand name on their products. Feels unfair, right? Well, this is where trademarks come in. They are the official legal protection offered for your brand in Singapore and beyond.
In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about registering a trademark with the Trademark Registry Singapore, from the basics to the fine print.
What Is a Trademark?
A trademark is any sign that can distinguish your goods or services from those of others. It may include words, logos, slogans, shapes, colours, or even sounds. With a registered trademark, you get exclusive rights to use your mark in the specific product or service that you selected when creating your application.
Some examples of globally recognised trademarks include the Nike “swoosh” or McDonald’s golden arches. As you can see, trademarks are used for both branding and enforcement against infringers. In some cases, a trademark can also be used as an intangible property; for example, a company called Toy R Us recently sold its trademark to another firm for a high (not disclosed) price.
Trademark vs Other Intellectual Property Protection—Which to Choose?
It’s easy to confuse trademarks with other forms of intellectual property (IP). Many could even register another kind of IP, even if they need a trademark and vice versa. Thus, before anything, you have to ensure that you actually need a trademark.
Here are the different kinds of intellectual property protection in Singapore:
Summary Table: Types of Intellectual Property Protection in Singapore
| Type of IP Protection | Example (Singapore Context) | Registration with IPOS? | Duration of Protection (Singapore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trademark | Singapore Airlines logo | Yes, must be filed with IPOS. | 10 years (renewable indefinitely) |
| Patent | Hyflux NEWater filtration technology | Yes, via patent application with IPOS. | Up to 20 years (subject to annual renewal fees) |
| Copyright | Book by Alfian Sa’at | No, protection is automatic upon creation. | Creator’s life + 70 years |
| Registered Design | OSIM massage chair design | Yes, register with IPOS. | Up to 15 years (renewable every 5 years) |
| Trade Secret / Confidential Information | Raffles Hotel’s Singapore Sling recipe | No formal registration; rely on confidentiality measures (e.g., NDAs). | Indefinite (as long as secrecy is maintained) |
Patents
Patents are a form of intellectual property protection for inventions and innovations. They safeguard products or processes that provide new ways of doing something. Patents are considered to be the most complex to obtain, as they require novelty, inventiveness, and industrial applicability.
Once granted, a patent lasts up to 20 years from the filing date in Singapore. However, you need to ensure that the annual renewal fees are paid. Some examples of companies that might go for patents include tech companies, pharmaceutical firms, or any business with unique inventions.
Copyright
A copyright is an automatic protection of original creative works such as literature, music, films, software, and artistic works. Unlike trademarks, no registration is required in Singapore. Similarly, a copyright arises the moment a work is created. It typically lasts for 70 years after the creator’s death.
Remember, a copyright does not cover brand identifiers like names or logos.
Design Rights
Registered designs protect the aesthetic features of a product. This could be a shape, pattern, engineering, or configuration. In Singapore, design rights last up to 15 years. For industries such as fashion, furniture, and consumer electronics, design registration helps preserve competitive advantage.
Trademarks
Unlike patents or copyrights, trademarks focus on brand identity. Once registered, they last for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
In short, if you’ve invented a product, a patent is your best bet. If you’re protecting artistic expression, copyright works. But if your goal is to ensure customers link your goods or services to your brand, you should choose to register a trademark.
The Step-By-Step Process of Registering a Trademark in Singapore
The Trademark Registry Singapore, managed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), outlines a structured process for registering a trademark in Singapore:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
The first thing is to ensure that you can actually use the mark that you’re proposing. According to the official guidelines, it must be distinctive, graphically representable, and not simply descriptive (e.g., “Fresh Bread” for a bakery). Similarly, generic terms or marks identical to existing ones are usually rejected.
Step 2: Conduct a Search
After creating an eligible mark, you can do a quick check to see if there are existing trademarks that are too similar to yours. For this, you can use the IPOS Digital Hub. Otherwise, you might have higher risks of objections later.
Step 3: Select the Right Class
Singapore follows the Nice Classification system with 45 classes. Your application must specify the correct class of goods or services. Remember, fees also vary based on the group: S$280 per class if using IPOS’s pre-approved list, or S$380 otherwise. From 1 September 2025, non-pre-approved descriptions will rise to S$410 per class.
Step 4: File Your Application
Once everything is in order, you can finally apply via the Form TM4 on the IPOS Digital Hub. Please provide details of the mark, its representation, chosen classes, and a declaration of use or intent to use.
Step 5: Examination
IPOS examines the application for compliance. If issues arise, you’ll receive an examination report with four months to respond.
Step 6: Publication and Opposition
If the mark passes the examination, it’s published in the Trademarks Journal. Once that’s done, third parties will get two months to oppose the decision.
Step 7: Registration and Renewal
If unopposed, your mark is registered, and you receive a certificate of registration. Protection lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
Fast-Track Option: Singapore’s SG Trade Marks Fast scheme accelerates examination for an additional fee of S$200 (using pre-approved descriptions) or S$250 otherwise. If you choose this method, you can get approval within weeks instead of months.
Do You Need to Hire Trademark Agents to Register With the Trademark Registry Singapore?
Technically, you can file a trademark on your own. But in practice, many businesses engage trademark agents or IP lawyers. Agents can:
- Conduct comprehensive clearance searches.
- Help classify goods/services correctly.
- Draft responses to examination reports or oppositions.
- Provide strategic advice if you plan to expand internationally.
While this adds cost, it reduces the risk of costly mistakes. Remember, IPOS processes applications but cannot provide legal advice.
Some Essential Things to Know About Trademarks in Singapore
- Registering your business name with ACRA or owning a domain doesn’t automatically grant trademark rights. Only IPOS registration does.
- The ® symbol can only be used once your mark is registered. The ™ symbol signals intent, not protection.
- If you don’t use your trademark for five years, it may be revoked for non-use.
- Trademarks are territorial. A Singapore registration doesn’t protect you overseas. Consider the Madrid Protocol for international coverage.
- Trademarks can be licensed, sold, or even used as collateral. They’re valuable business assets, and infringing upon someone else’s trademark is a serious offence.
- Singapore ranks among the top countries globally for trademark filings relative to population, showing its role as a hub for international IP strategy.
Looking for Help?
You can contact Singaporebrand if you need any help with the information published in this article. On the other hand, you can also go through our list of the best trademark registration services in Singapore.
