Singapore Trademark Registration Process
If there are no defects in the application process or any objections encountered, the entire procedure for registering a trademark in Singapore, from submission to approval, takes approximately 12 months. The following outlines the Singapore trademark registration process through five stages: trademark examination, application submission, trademark review, publication and opposition, and approval of registration.
(I) Trademark Examination Stage
The Singapore Trademark Law does not stipulate the trademark examination stage as a mandatory step. However, to enhance registration efficiency, it is recommended that applicants examine the intended trademark from the following four dimensions before applying for registration:
- Check whether the applied trademark complies with Singapore’s trademark registration standards:
- Conduct a trademark search. If a similar or identical trademark is discovered and it is protected under similar/identical goods or services as specified in the trademark application, the application may be rejected.
- Verify whether the goods or services applied for have been appropriately classified according to the Nice Classification standards.
(II) Application Submission Stage
The trademark registration application materials must include the following:
- Applicant’s name and address;
- Clear trademark graphic;
- List of goods and services for which the trademark will be used;
- Declaration of actual use or intent to use the trademark;
- Application fee.
(III) Trademark Review Stage
- Formal Review
Upon receiving the trademark application materials and fees, the Trademark Registry under the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) conducts a formal review to confirm whether the application meets basic requirements (e.g., whether goods or services have been specified in the application documents).
If the basic requirements are met, a filing date will be granted. Otherwise, the applicant will receive a correction notice. If the applicant fails to make corrections within 2 months of the notice date, the application will be deemed withdrawn.
- Substantive Review
After passing the formal review, the examiner from the Trademark Registry conducts trademark searches, including:
In addition to trademark searches, the examiner also conducts a substantive review of the registrability of the applied trademark, such as examining whether it possesses distinctive characteristics, to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
If the trademark does not meet registration requirements, the examiner will issue an examination opinion notice, stating the reasons for rejection and requesting the applicant to provide necessary information or amend the application within 4 months. The applicant must submit a response or apply for an extension within the given time from the notice date. Failure to do so will be deemed abandonment of the registration application.
(IV) Publication and Opposition Stage
After passing the substantive review, IPOS publishes the trademark application in the Singapore Trademarks Journal. Any interested party may file an opposition, state reasons, and submit relevant evidence within the 2-month publication period. If the trademark application is opposed, the applicant will receive a copy of the opposition documents, and the application process will be suspended pending the outcome of the opposition proceedings.
(V) Registration Approval Stage
If no opposition is filed during the publication period, or if an opposition is ruled in favor of registration, IPOS will approve the registration and issue a registration certificate to the applicant.
III. Post-Registration Maintenance
(I) Trademark Renewal (Renewal of Registration)
A registered trademark in Singapore is valid for 10 years. To continue using the trademark after expiration, the applicant may apply for renewal within 6 months before the expiry date. Each renewal extends the validity for another 10 years.
(II) Late Renewal (Late Renewal of Registration)
If a registered trademark is not renewed before the expiry date, its status will be updated to 'Expired (May Be Late Renewed).' During this stage, a late renewal application and payment of relevant fees may be submitted within 6 months from the expiry date. However, the fees for late renewal are higher than those for renewal submitted within the 6 months before the expiry date.
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