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Singapore Trademark Registration and Renewal: Costs and Process
In Singapore’s fast-paced business landscape, protecting your brand is more important than ever. A registered trademark acts as a clear sign that sets your goods or services apart from competitors. Without proper trademark registration, Singapore businesses risk seeing their hard-earned reputation copied or misused. That’s why knowing how to register a trademark in Singapore and understanding the costs for trademark renewal is vital for any company wanting to stand out in this thriving hub.
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What Is a Trademark?
A trademark is a form of intellectual property protection that helps distinguish your company’s goods or services from others in the market. In Singapore, a trademark could be a word, logo, shape, colour, or even a sound that consumers link directly to your brand. By securing trademark registration Singapore companies gain exclusive rights to use that mark in connection with their products or services, providing legal recourse if others attempt to imitate or misuse it.
Having a valid trademark also builds trust with your customers, showing that your business is committed to maintaining brand quality and consistency. A well-protected trademark can even become a valuable asset over time, supporting future franchising, licensing, or expansion plans.
How to Register a Trademark in Singapore
The process for how to register a trademark in Singapore is straightforward when you know the steps. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate your application.
1. How should you start registration online?
Businesses must submit their application through the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) using the IPOS Digital Hub. The main form you’ll need is Form TM4, which covers applications for registering a trademark, collective mark, or certification mark. Using IPOS’ Classification Database to pre-select approved descriptions can help you benefit from lower application fees and smoother processing.
Before submitting Form TM4, it’s wise to search for similar existing trademarks to avoid conflicts. This simple step can save you time and costs later by helping you assess whether your mark might be rejected for being too similar to another registered mark.
2. What should you prepare for the application?
You’ll need to prepare a clear graphical representation of your trademark. The application should include your name and address, a list of the goods and services your trademark will cover (classified according to the Nice Classification), and a declaration confirming you’re using or intend to use the mark.
The clarity of your trademark design matters. Marks that are too generic, descriptive, or common in everyday language may face objections during examination. Ensuring your trademark is unique and distinctive greatly increases your chances of approval.
3. How long will the application take?
Once you submit Form TM4 and pay the necessary trademark registration Singapore cost, your application enters the examination stage. IPOS checks if your mark meets all criteria: it must be distinctive, not misleading or too generic, and not identical or confusingly similar to an existing mark. If no objections arise, your mark is published for opposition in the Trade Marks Journal for two months. If there’s no opposition, your trademark is registered. The whole process usually takes around nine to twelve months if all goes smoothly.
Costs involved:
- For classes whose specification items are fully adopted from IPOS' Classification Database of pre-approved descriptions of goods and services, the cost is S$280 per class.
- For classes whose specification items are not fully adopted from IPOS' Classification Database, the cost is S$380 per class.
If your application faces any objections, you’ll have the opportunity to respond within the timeline specified by IPOS. You may amend your application, submit clarifications, or provide written representations to address any concerns raised.
The Cost of Trademark Registration in Singapore
Understanding the trademark registration Singapore cost helps you plan ahead.
Registration Costs
For applications that use only pre-approved descriptions from IPOS’ Classification Database, the fee is S$280 per class if filed online. If your description includes non-standard terms, the fee is S$380 per class. Be mindful that the cost is per class. If your business covers different product types or services, you may need to file for multiple classes, which increases the total cost.
Government Fees and Additional Charges
Aside from standard fees, you may incur additional costs if you need to make changes, respond to objections, or file appeals. For businesses seeking a faster process, Singapore’s SG Trade Marks Fast programme allows you to pay an extra fee to accelerate the initial examination, costing S$200–S$250 per class, depending on whether you use pre-approved terms.
| Category | Costs |
|---|---|
| Registration Costs (Standard: for applications using only pre-approved descriptions from IPOS' Classification Database) | S$280 per class |
| Registration Costs (Non-Standard Terms) | S$380 per class |
| Government Fees and Additional Charges | Additional costs may be incurred for changes, objections, or appeals |
| Request for Acceleration (Pre-approved descriptions) | S$200 per class |
| Request for Acceleration (Non-pre-approved descriptions) | S$250 per class |
Trademark Renewal Singapore: Keeping Your Protection Active
According to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), after you’ve completed your trademark registration in Singapore, your mark is valid for ten years. To keep it protected, you must manage trademark renewal in Singapore on time. The earliest you can renew is six months before your trademark expires.
The standard renewal fee is S$440 per class if you renew on time. If you miss the expiry date, a late renewal costs S$645 per class, while restoring a lapsed registration costs S$705 per class (prices are subject to change). Fortunately, the renewal process itself is simple — you’ll need your trademark number and to submit the relevant online form through the IPOS Digital Hub.
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Starting a Business in Singapore? We’re Here to Support You
Securing your trademark and managing trademark renewal in Singapore are essential for protecting your business identity in a competitive environment. By understanding how to register trademark in Singapore, the typical trademark registration Singapore cost, and the renewal process, you’re one step closer to building a brand that’s protected for years to come.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A trademark is a unique sign — such as a word, logo, symbol, or sound — that identifies your products or services and distinguishes them from others. Registering your trademark in Singapore protects your brand identity and gives you legal rights to prevent others from using a confusingly similar mark.
Your trademark must be distinctive, not misleading, and capable of being graphically represented. It should not be too generic or descriptive of the goods or services it covers, and it must not conflict with an existing registered mark. Doing a similar mark search through IPOS’ Digital Hub is strongly recommended.
You need to file Form TM4 online via the IPOS Digital Hub. Prepare a clear graphical representation of your mark, applicant details, a full list of goods or services (according to the Nice Classification), and a declaration of use or intent to use the mark.
If there are no objections or oppositions, registering a trademark in Singapore usually takes about nine to twelve months from the date of application. If objections arise, you’ll need to respond within the given timeline to keep the process moving.
The basic fee is S$280 per class if you use pre-approved descriptions from IPOS’ database. For custom descriptions, the fee is S$380 per class. Remember, the cost is per class of goods/services, so multiple classes will increase the total cost.
You can renew your trademark up to six months before it expires. The standard renewal fee is S$440 per class. If you renew late, the fee increases to S$645 per class, and restoring a lapsed trademark costs S$705 per class. Renewal is done online through the IPOS Digital Hub.
