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Singapore IPOS Trademark & Patent Registration Guide 2026

2026 guide to Singapore IPOS trademarks and patents, covering filing fees, registration timelines, protection terms, patent requirements and the Madrid Protocol.

Statutory Overview & Legal Framework

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) administers Singapore's trade mark and patent registration systems. A registered trade mark can protect a brand name, logo or other eligible sign for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed repeatedly. The current IPOS TM4 application fee is S$280 per class when the specification is fully adopted from IPOS's pre-approved Classification Database, or S$410 per class when the specification is not fully adopted. A straightforward trade mark application may take about 9 months from filing to registration if there are no deficiencies, objections or oppositions. Singapore is also a member of the Madrid Protocol, allowing eligible applicants to seek international trade mark protection through WIPO. Patents protect qualifying technical inventions and can last 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of the required annual renewal fees.

Singapore Trademark Registration

what It Protects: A trade mark can protect a brand identifier such as a word, logo, device, or other registrable sign used to distinguish goods or services.

registration Criteria:

The mark must be capable of being represented graphically under the applicable criteria.

The mark should be distinctive and capable of distinguishing the applicant's goods or services.

A mark consisting entirely of descriptive terms is generally not registrable unless other statutory conditions apply.

A mark consisting entirely of signs customary in the current language or established trade practices can face refusal.

Other absolute and relative grounds can apply, including conflicts with earlier rights.

classes: Goods and services are classified using the Nice Classification system. A separate fee applies for each class.

protection: A registered trade mark is protected for 10 years from the filing date.

renewal: The registration can be renewed every 10 years. IPOS allows renewal applications from 6 months before the expiry date.

search: A search of existing marks should be performed before filing, but a search alone cannot guarantee registration because IPOS examines the mark against statutory criteria and earlier rights.

Current IPOS Trademark Filing Fees

Specification items fully adopted from IPOS Classification Database

S$280 per class

Specification items not fully adopted from IPOS Classification Database

S$410 per class

important: The S$280 and S$410 amounts are the official TM4 application fees. Additional fees can arise later for other procedures, opposition, renewal, amendments, expedited services or other requests.

database Recommendation: IPOS strongly encourages applicants to use its Classification Database because it can reduce the risk of objections concerning specifications and may reduce processing time.

Trademark Registration Process

Check the Mark

Assess whether the proposed mark is distinctive, legally registrable and suitable for the goods or services involved.

Search Existing Marks

Search IPOS records for identical or similar marks and review the relevant goods and services.

Choose Nice Classes and Specifications

Select the correct goods/services classes and use IPOS's pre-approved Classification Database where appropriate.

File TM4

Submit the trade mark application through IPOS Digital Hub and pay the applicable fee for each class.

IPOS Examination

IPOS examines the application for compliance and registrability. Objections or deficiencies can require amendments or written responses.

Publication and Opposition

A mark accepted for publication is published for opposition. Third parties can oppose the application within the applicable opposition period.

Registration

If the application is not successfully opposed and all requirements are satisfied, IPOS registers the mark and provides the registration certificate.

timeline: IPOS states that it may take about 9 months for a trade mark to be registered where the application has no deficiency and faces no objection or opposition. The actual timeline varies.

fast Programme: The SG Trade Marks Fast programme is scheduled to resume accepting new acceleration requests from 1 September 2026. Qualifying national applications can receive a first examination report or publication notice within 3 to 6 weeks.

Singapore Patent Registration

what It Protects: A patent protects a qualifying technical invention, which can be a new product, process or technical improvement.

criterion	description
Novelty	The invention must be new and not publicly known anywhere in the world before the relevant priority date.
Inventive step	The invention must not be obvious to a person skilled in the relevant technical field.
Industrial application	The invention must be capable of practical industrial application.

filing: A domestic Singapore patent application is filed through IPOS Digital Hub. The application should include the required application form, description, claims where ready and abstract, with drawings where applicable.

current Application Fee: S$170 for a domestic patent application.

search Examination: Patent applicants must select an applicable search and examination route. Current IPOS guidance lists separate official fees for search, examination or combined search and examination, depending on the route selected.

term: A granted patent is protected for 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of annual renewal fees.

renewal: Patent renewal fees are payable annually starting from the fourth anniversary of the filing date, subject to the statutory timetable.

Patent Registration Process

Keep the Invention Confidential

Avoid public disclosure before filing because public disclosure can compromise novelty.

Prepare the Specification

Prepare a description that explains the invention and how it can be carried out, together with claims and an abstract and drawings where applicable.

File the Patent Application

Submit the domestic patent application through IPOS Digital Hub and pay the applicable application fee.

Publication and Search/Examination

The application proceeds through publication and the selected search and examination route.

Respond to Examination Issues

Address written opinions, objections or examination reports within the applicable statutory periods.

Grant and Maintain

Once granted, maintain the patent by paying the required annual renewal fees.

important: Patent prosecution can take substantially longer than straightforward trademark registration because search, examination, amendments and objections can extend the process.

Madrid Protocol for International Trademark Protection

Singapore is a member of the Madrid Protocol. Eligible trademark owners can file an international application through the Madrid System to seek protection in multiple member jurisdictions.

current Coverage: The Madrid System currently covers 133 countries through 117 members.

how It Works:

The applicant needs a qualifying national or regional basic mark in a Madrid member jurisdiction.

The international application is filed through the relevant Office of Origin.

The applicant designates the countries or jurisdictions in which protection is sought.

Each designated jurisdiction applies its own domestic trademark law to determine whether protection is granted.

important: A Madrid international registration does not automatically guarantee protection in every designated jurisdiction. Each designated member examines the mark under its own law.

singapore: Singapore can act as an Office of Origin for eligible Singapore applicants, and Singapore can also be designated by applicants using the Madrid System.

Trademark vs Patent

10 years, renewable

Brand identifiers such as names and logos

20 years from filing, subject to renewals

Technical inventions

practical Rule: A brand name normally calls for trade mark protection, while a new technical solution may call for patent protection. Some businesses need both.

Protecting Singapore IP Overseas

trademark: For trade marks, an applicant can file directly in foreign jurisdictions or use the Madrid System where eligible.

patent: For patents, international filing options such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) can be considered, followed by national or regional prosecution.

important: Singapore registration protects the relevant right in Singapore. It does not automatically create worldwide protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The current TM4 fee is S$280 per class when the specification items are fully adopted from IPOS's pre-approved Classification Database, or S$410 per class when they are not fully adopted.

IPOS states that a straightforward application may take about 9 months to reach registration when there are no deficiencies, objections or opposition proceedings. The actual timeline can vary.

A registered Singapore trade mark is protected for 10 years from the filing date. It can be renewed for additional 10-year periods, with renewal applications available from 6 months before expiry.

Eligible trademark owners can file one international application through the Madrid System to seek protection in multiple member jurisdictions. The current system covers 133 countries through 117 members, but each designated jurisdiction applies its own law.

A patentable invention must generally be new, involve an inventive step and be capable of industrial application. The invention should also be disclosed sufficiently in the patent specification. Public disclosure before filing can compromise novelty.

A granted patent normally lasts 20 years from the filing date, subject to the required annual renewal payments and any applicable statutory extension.

Legal Disclaimer: This page is general informational content, not intellectual-property, legal or patent-attorney advice. Registrability, patentability, examination outcomes, objections and opposition depend on the specific mark, invention, prior rights and prosecution history. Check the latest IPOS and WIPO requirements before filing.

Verification Standard: Official IPOS and WIPO sources checked in August 2026. No government endorsement, approval, accreditation or official verification of this website is claimed.

Primary Statutory References & Government Portals

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ACRA Compliance at a Glance

Trademark feeS$280 or S$410 per class

Trademark term10 years from filing date

Typical trademark timelineAbout 9 months if straightforward

Patent term20 years from filing date

Madrid System133 countries covered in 2026

Key Pitfalls to Avoid

✕ Calling S$280 the fee for every trademark application.

✓ S$280 applies per class when the specification items are fully adopted from IPOS's pre-approved Classification Database; otherwise the TM4 fee is S$410 per class.

✕ Promising that trademark registration always takes 8 to 9 months.

✓ IPOS says about 9 months only for applications without deficiencies, objections or opposition. Actual timelines vary.

✕ Assuming a trademark search guarantees registration.

✓ Searches help identify potential conflicts but cannot guarantee that IPOS will accept the mark.

✕ Using the old '120 countries' Madrid figure.

✓ The Madrid System currently covers 133 countries through 117 members.

✕ Assuming a patent can safely be disclosed publicly before filing.

✓ Public disclosure can compromise novelty, so confidentiality before filing is important.

✕ Saying a patent lasts 20 years from grant.

✓ The normal Singapore patent term is 20 years from the filing date, subject to annual renewal and any applicable extension.

✕ Treating trademark and patent protection as interchangeable.

✓ Trade marks primarily protect brand identifiers, while patents protect qualifying technical inventions.