To register a trademark in Singapore, you can follow these steps:
- Conduct a trademark search to ensure that your trademark is available for registration and does not infringe on the rights of any existing trademark owners. You can conduct a search on the IPOS website or engage a professional trademark agent to conduct the search on your behalf.
- Prepare and file a trademark application with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). The application can be filed online or in person at the IPOS office. You will need to provide information such as the trademark owner’s name and address, the trademark image or logo, the class of goods or services that the trademark will be used for, and a declaration of use.
- Pay the application fee. The fee varies depending on the number of classes of goods or services that the trademark will be registered for.
- Wait for the trademark application to be examined by the IPOS examiner. The examination process typically takes 3 to 4 months, during which the examiner will review the trademark application to ensure that it meets the requirements for registration.
- Respond to any objections or requirements for amendment that may be raised by the examiner. If there are any objections or requirements for amendment, you will be given a deadline to respond and provide the necessary information or amendments.
- If the trademark application is approved, the trademark will be published in the Trademarks Journal for a period of two months to allow for opposition by any third parties who may claim to have prior rights.
- If there are no oppositions to the trademark registration, the trademark registration certificate will be issued and the trademark will be registered for a period of 10 years, renewable for successive periods of 10 years each.
It’s important to note that the trademark owner must use the trademark in Singapore in connection with the goods or services for which it is registered, and failure to do so for a continuous period of 5 years may result in the trademark being vulnerable to cancellation on the grounds of non-use. Therefore, it’s important for trademark owners to monitor and maintain their trademark registrations to ensure that they are being used properly and are in compliance with the trademark laws and regulations in Singapore.