Intellectual property in Singapore

Having an Australian trade mark, patent, design right, or plant breeder’s right (PBR) doesn't secure protection in Singapore. Here's how you can protect your IP in Singapore.

What types of IP can you register?

In Singapore, you can protect your IP with a trade mark, patent, design right or PBR.

What to consider

Before applying, make sure you:

  1. Understand what's considered a trade mark in Singapore and if your trade mark is eligible for protection
  2. Consider whether you should apply for a trade mark in Australia first
  3. Know the cost of applying for a trade mark in Singapore and through the Madrid System
  4. Understand the importance of due diligence and preliminary searches. You'll need to conduct a thorough search to make sure your trade mark hasn't already been protected in Singapore. An IP professional can help you with this. 

How to apply

There are two ways to apply for a trade mark in Singapore:

  1. Directly to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
  2. Through the Madrid System.

Apply via IPOS  Apply via the Madrid System

What to consider

Before applying, make sure you:

  1. Understand what's considered a patent is in Singapore and if your idea is eligible for protection
  2. Consider whether you should apply for a patent in Australia first
  3. Know the cost of applying for a patent in Singapore
  4. Understand the importance of due diligence and preliminary searches. You'll need to conduct a thorough search to make sure your idea hasn't already been protected in Singapore. An IP professional can help you with this. 

How to apply

There are two ways to apply for a patent in Singapore:

  1. Directly to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).
  • If you have a provisional application, you'll need to file within 12 months to secure your priority date.
  1. Through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
  • If you have an international application, you can apply to IPOS and convert your application into a Singaporean patent application. This is called 'entering the national phase'.

Apply via IPOS  Apply via the PCT

What to consider

Before applying, make sure you:

  1. Understand what's considered a design right in Singapore and if your design is eligible for protection
  2. Consider whether you should file your design right application in Australia first
  3. Know the cost of registering a design right in Singapore
  4. Understand the importance of due diligence and preliminary searches. You'll need to conduct a thorough search to make sure your design hasn't already been published in Singapore. An IP professional can help you with this. 

How to apply

For a design right in Singapore, apply directly to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).

Apply via IPOS

What to consider

Before applying, make sure you:

  1. Understand what's considered a PBR in Singapore and if your plant variety is eligible for protection
  2. Consider whether you should apply for a PBR in Australia first
  3. Know the cost of registering a PBR in Singapore
  4. Understand the importance of due diligence and preliminary searches. You'll need to conduct a thorough search to make sure your PBR hasn't already been protected in Singapore. An IP professional can help you with this. 

How to apply

To register a PBR in Singapore, apply directly to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).

Apply via IPOS

What other IP can you register?

Singapore also administers IP rights for geographical indications.

Geographical indications

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) is responsible for registering geographical indications in Singapore.

What can be protected without registration?

Copyright

As in Australia, copyright in Singapore arises automatically when creative material is made.

Integrated circuit layouts

In Singapore, integrated circuit layouts are an unregistered right.

Trade secrets

There's no formal application or registration process for trade secrets in Singapore.

Further guidance

  • To learn more about intellectual property in Singapore, visit the IPOS.
  • To find out more about Singapore's World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) membership, check out Singapore's WIPO member page.
  • If you're considering exporting to Singapore, the Export Council of Australia provides information on licensing, clearances, and access to finance and trade agreements.
  • For information about Singapore's export market and economy, you can check Austrade and DFAT's profiles on Singapore.