Registering a trademark in Singapore protects your brand, strengthens your business identity and ensures no competitor can use or copy your name, logo or creative assets. Singapore is known globally for its strong intellectual property ecosystem, making it one of the easiest and safest places for trademark registration. However, the process still requires accuracy, legal insight and strategic planning to avoid objections, rejections or costly delays.
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This guide explains how to register a trademark in Singapore, step by step, in a clear and human-friendly way. Throughout the article, you will understand why many international and local businesses choose Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP for trademark registration in Singapore, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Bangladesh and across the world. Our expertise ensures you secure your intellectual property smoothly, quickly and with full legal protection.
What is a Trademark in Singapore
A trademark in Singapore is any unique sign that allows consumers to identify your goods or services. It can be a name, logo, slogan, symbol, signature, 3D shape, sound mark or even a combination of these. When you register a trademark in Singapore, you gain exclusive rights to use that mark within the country and legal tools to take action against anyone who tries to copy or misuse it.
Trademarks are governed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), and the registration gives you protection for ten years, with unlimited renewals.
Why You Should Register a Trademark in Singapore
Before discussing how to register a trademark in Singapore, you need to understand why it matters. Many businesses delay trademark registration until competitors copy their brand, which leads to legal battles and financial losses. Registering early protects your identity.
Key benefits include:
- Exclusive rights to use your trademark in Singapore
- Legal protection and the ability to sue infringers
- Brand credibility and trust in local and global markets
- Asset creation, as trademarks increase business valuation
- Eligibility for licensing and franchising opportunities
- Simpler international expansion through the Madrid Protocol
For entrepreneurs, startups, e-commerce stores and global brands, the earlier you understand how to register a trademark in Singapore, the safer your brand journey becomes.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Register a Trademark in Singapore
Below is a detailed and human-friendly breakdown of each stage involved in trademark registration.
Step 1: Understand What You Want to Register
Before filing, you must identify what exactly you want to trademark. This could be:
- Business name
- Product name
- Brand logo
- Tagline
- Packaging design
- Sound or 3D shape
- A combination of the above
Your trademark must be distinctive, not similar to existing marks, and must not describe the products directly.
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP helps you evaluate whether your mark is strong enough to be approved, reducing the chance of rejection.
Step 2: Conduct a Trademark Search
Before actually registering a trademark in Singapore, you must run a trademark search on IPOS databases. This step ensures:
- Your mark is not identical or confusingly similar to another
- You avoid objections and litigation risks
- You save money by preventing rejected applications
Our legal team performs deeper searches beyond the basic IPOS tool by examining phonetic similarities, cross-category conflicts and international trademark risks.
Step 3: Identify the Correct Classes
When you register a trademark in Singapore, you must choose one or multiple classes according to the Nice Classification System. Every product or service belongs to a specific class.
Choosing the wrong class is one of the most common mistakes applicants make, which can lead to:
- Incomplete protection
- Rejection
- Limited legal rights
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP helps you choose the proper classes to ensure full protection for your business.
Step 4: Prepare Your Application
A proper trademark application in Singapore includes:
- Applicant’s name
- Applicant’s address
- Clear representation of the trademark
- List of goods/services under selected classes
- Priority claim (if applicable)
We prepare all documents precisely to avoid delays.
Step 5: File Your Application with IPOS
Once your documents are ready, the next step in how to register a trademark in Singapore is online submission through the IPOS portal. You will receive an application number that allows you to track your case.
This officially marks the beginning of the registration process.
Step 6: Undergo the IPOS Examination Process
After submission, IPOS examines your trademark on two grounds:
Formal Examination
IPOS checks:
- Completeness of documents
- Correct classifications
- Proper trademark representation
If everything is correct, the process moves to the next stage.
Substantive Examination
This is the most critical phase. IPOS examines:
- Whether your trademark is unique
- Whether it violates existing trademarks
- Whether it violates any legal restrictions
- Whether it is descriptive or misleading
Many applicants face objections here. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP handles responses, arguments and modifications to ensure approval.
Step 7: Trademark Publication
If approved, IPOS publishes your trademark in the Trade Marks Journal for two months. This period allows third parties to oppose your registration if they believe your trademark conflicts with theirs.
If an objection is raised, our lawyers defend your application professionally and strategically.
Step 8: Trademark Registration
If no oppositions arise, or if you win the opposition case, IPOS officially registers your trademark. You receive:
- Certificate of Registration
- Ten years of protection
- Exclusive rights across Singapore
This completes the trademark registration process.
Step 9: Renew and Maintain Your Trademark
Trademark protection lasts for ten years and can be renewed indefinitely. Failing to renew on time can cause your protection to lapse.
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP manages renewal reminders and compliance for global brands to avoid accidental loss of trademark rights.
How Much Does it Cost to Register a Trademark in Singapore
While the cost varies depending on the number of classes, filing structure and legal assistance, the typical government filing fee starts per class. Additional fees apply if your application includes complex elements.
Working with a global law firm like Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP ensures a lower risk of costly errors.
How Long Does It Take to Register a Trademark in Singapore
The entire process typically takes between 6 to 12 months, depending on:
- Examination complexity
- Objections
- Oppositions
- Accuracy of filing
With legal support, this timeline can be smooth and efficient.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Registering a Trademark in Singapore
Understanding how to register a trademark in Singapore is powerful, but knowing what to avoid is equally important. Many applications get delayed or rejected simply because of small errors. Trademark registrations are technical, and even a minor mistake can cause a major setback.
Key mistakes to avoid include:
- Submitting a trademark that is too generic or descriptive
- Choosing the wrong classes under the Nice Classification
- Skipping a detailed trademark search
- Using low-quality images or unclear logo files
- Providing incorrect applicant details
- Filing for fewer classes than required
- Ignoring IPOS objections or responding incorrectly
- Not checking for international conflicts
- Applying too late, after a competitor has filed a similar mark
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP ensures your application avoids every one of these pitfalls. With our guidance, you increase your chances of approval and reduce the risk of costly errors.
Understanding Trademark Classes in Singapore
A critical part of learning how to register a trademark in Singapore is the correct selection of trademark classes. Singapore uses the Nice Classification System, which divides all goods and services into 45 classes.
Trademark classes fall into two main categories:
Goods (Classes 1 to 34)
These classes cover tangible products such as clothing, chemicals, food items, tools, electronics and manufactured goods.
Services (Classes 35 to 45)
These include services such as advertising, legal consultation, business management, transportation, technology solutions, medical services and education.
Choosing the wrong class means:
- Partial protection
- Exposure to legal challenges
- Difficulty enforcing your rights
- Missed protection for key business areas
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP helps clients identify all relevant classes so your trademark covers every commercial activity under your brand.
What Happens If Your Trademark Application Is Rejected in Singapore
Even if you know how to register a trademark in Singapore, rejections can still happen. IPOS may reject applications for reasons such as similarities, lack of distinctiveness or legal conflicts.
When this happens, you have several options:
- File a response with legal arguments
- Amend the application to strengthen uniqueness
- Remove or revise conflicting elements
- Submit evidence of acquired distinctiveness
- Appeal against the refusal
Many businesses fail at this stage due to weak or incorrect responses. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP has extensive experience in handling trademark objections and refusals. We prepare structured legal responses that increase the likelihood of successful approval.
International Trademark Protection After Registering in Singapore
Understanding how to register a trademark in Singapore is the first step. But what if you want to protect your brand globally? Singapore is a member of the Madrid Protocol, which allows businesses to protect their trademarks in multiple countries with a single application.
With the help of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, you can:
- Expand your trademark to over 130 countries
- Manage renewals across different jurisdictions
- Maintain consistent brand protection internationally
- Avoid conflicts with trademarks in global markets
- Lower the cost of multiple filings
Our global presence in Dubai, the UK, Singapore and Bangladesh gives clients a seamless cross-border trademark strategy.
How to Strengthen Your Trademark Before Registration
If you want to increase your chances of approval, you must build a strong trademark long before you apply. A strong trademark improves your success rate when learning how to register a trademark in Singapore.
Ways to strengthen your trademark include:
- Choosing unique and distinctive brand names
- Avoiding generic or descriptive keywords
- Designing a logo that stands out visually
- Conducting a full conflict search locally and internationally
- Collecting evidence of brand usage
- Building a strong online presence before filing
A strong trademark not only boosts approval chances but also protects your brand more effectively against infringers.
Trademark Enforcement and Protection After Registration
Successfully learning how to register a trademark in Singapore is only the beginning. Once your trademark is registered, enforcement becomes essential to protect your intellectual property.
Trademark enforcement includes:
- Monitoring for unauthorized use
- Taking action against copycats or imitators
- Sending cease-and-desist letters
- Initiating infringement litigation if necessary
- Protecting your mark on social media, e-commerce platforms and international markets
- Renewing your trademark on time
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP provides full enforcement support to safeguard your brand, reputation and commercial assets. Our legal expertise ensures that your trademark remains protected throughout its lifetime.
Why Choose Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP for Trademark Registration in Singapore
Trademark registration may appear simple but involves legal complexities that only experts can navigate smoothly. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP has a strong international presence in Dubai, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh and many other regions. Our legal team ensures your brand receives global-standard protection.
Choosing Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP means:
- Accurate legal assessments
- Complete handling of trademark searches
- Strategic class selection
- Professional response to objections
- Defence against oppositions
- Timely filings and renewals
- Global IP management for multinational expansion
Our experience across borders ensures your trademark is not only registered in Singapore but also built to support your international growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to register a trademark in Singapore?
It normally takes 6 to 12 months, depending on objections and the number of classes.
Can foreigners register a trademark in Singapore?
Yes, individuals and companies outside Singapore can register a trademark through a local or international law firm like Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.
Does trademark registration cover the whole world?
No. Trademark registration in Singapore only protects your mark within Singapore. For international protection, we help you file through the Madrid Protocol.
What happens if someone copies my trademark?
With a registered trademark, you can take legal action. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP assists clients in enforcement, infringement claims and litigation.
Can I register my brand name and logo together?
Yes, but registering them separately offers stronger protection. Our lawyers help you choose the best strategy.
Take the Next Step
Your brand deserves strong legal protection. If you are planning to register a trademark in Singapore or anywhere in the world, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP is ready to guide you with precision and expertise.
Contact us today to protect your brand and secure your intellectual property with confidence.
E-mail: info@deweyleboeuf.com
Phone: +971 58 690 9684
Address: 26B Street, Mirdif, Dubai, UAE