🇸🇬 South East Asia

Singapore IP Filing Guide

Singapore is a leading IP hub in Asia, known for its efficient Intellectual Property Office (IPOS), strong rule of law, and strategic location at the crossroads of ASEAN trade. The system operates entirely in English, making it straightforward for international applicants.

Paris Convention PCT Member Madrid Protocol Hague System

Filing Requirements

  • All documents must be in English
  • Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) and inventor(s)
  • Proof of rights (declaration of how rights were obtained)
  • Complete Specification in English
  • POA may be filed within ~1 month of formal examination
  • Priority document: within 12 months from filing (non-extendable)
  • PCT National Phase: entry within 30 months; no utility model system

Prosecution Steps

  1. Filing of patent application
  2. Publication after 18 months
  3. Search request within 13 months (extendable by 18 months)
  4. Examination request within 36 months (extendable by 18 months)
  5. First Examination Report — response within 5 months
  6. Notice of Eligibility for grant
  7. Certificate of Grant application within 2 months of notice
  8. Annuities from 4th year (payable only after grant)
20
Year patent term
From filing date; no utility model

Filing Requirements

  • Full name, address, status and nationality of applicant(s)
  • Description of goods/services and class
  • Clear trademark image (if logo/design)
  • Translation/transliteration if not in English
  • Priority details (if any) — priority must be claimed at filing on Form TM4
  • No POA required for filing
  • Multi-class filing permitted

Registration Process

  1. Filing of application
  2. Examination (6–9 months)
  3. Reply to objections within 2 months (extendable by 4 months)
  4. Acceptance and publication in Trade Marks Journal
  5. Opposition: 2 months from publication
  6. Certificate of Registration issued
10
Year registration
Renewable every 10 years

Filing Requirements

  • Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) and creator(s)
  • Title, classification and Locarno sub-class
  • Multiple views — front, back, top, side, bottom, perspective
  • Priority claim: within 6 months of first filing (12 months for Paris Convention)
  • POA not required
15
Year max design term
5 + 5 + 5 years renewable

Key Facts

Patent Office IPOS — Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
PCT Member Yes — national phase within 30 months
Madrid Protocol Yes
Hague System Yes (designs)
Patent Term 20 years from filing date
TM Term 10 years (renewable every 10 years)
Design Term 15 years (5+5+5 years renewable)
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