Singapore IPOS Trademark & Patent Registration Guide 2026

Complete guide to registering trademarks and patents with IPOS in Singapore. Explains S$280/S$410 class fees, 9-month timeline, & Madrid Protocol.

Statutory Overview & Legal Framework

Intellectual property registration in Singapore is administered by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) under the Trade Marks Act (Cap. 332) and Patents Act (Cap. 221). Registering a trademark with IPOS grants 10 years of renewable legal protection across designated Nice Classification classes. Straightforward trademark applications typically take approximately 8 to 9 months to complete registration if no objections arise. Official IPOS filing fees are S$280 per class for pre-approved goods/services descriptions or S$410 per class for custom specifications. International protection can be extended via the Madrid Protocol. Use this guide to register IP with IPOS.

Core Statutory Criteria & Regulations

IPOS Trademark 10-Year Protection Term10-Yr Trademark

Registered trademarks receive 10 years of exclusive protection in Singapore, renewable indefinitely every 10 years.

IPOS Official Filing Fee Structure (S$280 / S$410)IPOS Fee Tariff

Official filing fee is S$280 per class when using IPOS pre-approved descriptions or S$410 per class for custom specifications.

Madrid Protocol International Filing SystemMadrid Protocol

Singapore trademark owners can file international trademark applications in over 120 countries via IPOS under the Madrid Protocol.

IPOS Patent Protection Term (20 Years)20-Yr Patent Term

Patents grant up to 20 years of exclusive monopoly protection for new, inventive, and industrially applicable technical inventions.

Qualification & Compliance Requirements

Applies to individual inventors, local businesses, and international corporations seeking IP protection in Singapore.

Trademarks must be distinctive and not descriptive, deceptive, or conflicting with existing registered marks.

Trademark examination and 2-month public opposition publication apply prior to final registration.

Patents require novelty, inventive step, industrial applicability, and complete specification disclosure.

Statutory Document & Application Checklist

Trade Marks Act (Cap. 332) & Patents Act (Cap. 221)

IPOS IP2SG Online Application Form

High-Resolution Trademark Image / Logo File

Nice Classification List of Goods and Services (Class 1 to 45)

Patent Specification, Claims, Abstract, & Drawings (for patents)

Step-by-Step Filing & Compliance Process

Conduct IPOS Similar Mark Search on IP2SG

Search existing registered trademarks on IPOS IP2SG portal to ensure proposed mark does not conflict.

Select Nice Classification Classes & Descriptions

Choose goods/services classes; select pre-approved descriptions (S$280/class) or custom specifications (S$410/class).

Submit Application on IP2SG Portal

File online application on IPOS portal and pay required official class fees.

Formal Examination & 2-Month Public Gazette Notice

IPOS examines mark distinctiveness; approved marks are published in Trade Marks Journal for 2-month public opposition.

Registration Certificate Issuance (~8–9 Months)

If no opposition is filed, IPOS issues official Digital Trademark Registration Certificate (valid for 10 years).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The official IPOS filing fee is S$280 per class when selecting pre-approved goods/services descriptions, or S$410 per class for custom specifications.

A straightforward trademark application with no deficiencies, objections, or third-party oppositions typically takes around 8 to 9 months to complete registration.

A registered trademark in Singapore is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely every 10 years.

The Madrid Protocol is an international treaty that allows Singapore trademark owners to apply for trademark protection in over 120 member countries through a single international application filed with IPOS.

A trademark protects brand identity (logos, brand names, slogans), while a patent protects technical inventions, functional mechanisms, and manufacturing processes for up to 20 years.