Trade Mark Requirement

Registering a trade mark in Singapore

Singapore’s Trade Marks Act was enacted in 1998 and has been in force since January 1999. Singapore is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and joined WIPO in 1990, the Paris Convention in 1995 and the Protocol to the Madrid Agreement in 2000.

In Singapore, an applicant must apply through the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) to obtain registration of a trade mark and obtain legal protection. The Trade Mark Registry at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) is the only office that handles trade mark applications in Singapore. Generally speaking, the filing cycle for a trade mark application in Singapore is 4 to 6 months.

In the process of internationalisation, more and more businessmen are becoming aware of the need to protect their brand and intellectual property rights. Let FOZL assist you in registering your existing company’s trade mark in Singapore to take the first step towards internationalisation!

Singapore Trade Mark Framework

Documents required for trade mark registration in Singapore

1. Name and address of the applicant
2. 6 copies of the trade mark design if the proposed registration is in colour or only one copy of the proposed registration is in black and white.
3. Provide a list of products or services to be registered and the type of registration.
4. Priority documents, if priority is claimed
5. Application for registration of a trade mark
6. Proxy letter for trade mark registration

Singapore Trade Mark Registration Procedure

1. The applicant (or his agent) submits the application form to the Trade Mark Registrar, together with the payment of the prescribed fee.

2. Upon receipt of the application form, the Trade Marks Registry will examine the application to ensure that it complies with the relevant provisions of the Trade Marks Ordinance. If it is found that the application does not comply with the Trade Marks Ordinance, the Trade Marks Registry will issue a report stating the reasons why the trade mark cannot be registered.

3. If the registration of the trade mark is examined and the application is found to be in order, a notice of the registration of the trade mark is published in the Government Gazette

4. Any person may oppose the registration of the trade mark within two months of the publication of the notice. If no opposition is received, the Trade Marks Registry will proceed with the registration.

5. Finally, the Trade Marks Registry issues a certificate of registration to the applicant.