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Get professional assistance
Applying for international IP can be tricky. We explain how you can find an IP professional to represent you in your target country or region.
If you’re considering applying for an IP right overseas, we recommend engaging an IP attorney. They can help you understand the country’s eligibility requirements and fees, lodge applications, and manage your IP rights once they're protected. In some countries, local laws may require you to work with an IP professional.
Find an IP professional who can represent you in your target country or region by visiting Get professional assistance with your IP.
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:
- Understand what's considered a trade mark in Singapore and if your trade mark is eligible for protection
- Consider whether you should apply for a trade mark in Australia first
- Know the cost of applying for a trade mark in Singapore and through the Madrid System
- 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:
- Through the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
- Through the Madrid System.
What to consider
Before applying, make sure you:
- Understand what's considered a patent is in Singapore and if your idea is eligible for protection
- Consider whether you should apply for a patent in Australia first
- Know the cost of applying for a patent in Singapore
- 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:
- Through 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.
- 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'.
What to consider
Before applying, make sure you:
- Understand what's considered a design right in Singapore and if your design is eligible for protection
- Consider whether you should file your design right application in Australia first
- Know the cost of registering a design right in Singapore
- 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).
What to consider
Before applying, make sure you:
- Understand what's considered a PBR in Singapore and if your plant variety is eligible for protection
- Consider whether you should apply for a PBR in Australia first
- Know the cost of registering a PBR in Singapore
- 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).
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.
