What is a Trade Mark?
S (2)(1) of the Trade Marks Act of Singapore provides the definition of “trade mark” means any sign capable of being represented graphically and which is capable of distinguishing goods or services dealt with or provided in the course of trade by a person from goods or services so dealt with or provided by any other person.
Benefits of register Trade Mark?
Protect Your Business Brand & Reputation
- Your brand is an identity of your business. While tremendous costs was spent on marketing and building your brand, secure your protection on your intellectual property.
Registered Your Ownership
- Full claim to your brand without hesitation. Certification will be granted by Intellectual Property Office of Singapore after the registration.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
- Having your brand registered can prevent others from registering similar/ identical mark at the later stage in relation to the same or similar goods or services.
Add Great Value to Your Business
- Your brand is a commercial asset to your company. Apart from protecting your market share in the business, it also gives you the chance to licence, franchise or you may use to raise equity for business undertakings.
Identifying a Trade Mark
There are 2 symbols for trade mark.
Symbol ® means a mark is registered as a trade mark and hence protected under trade mark laws. Symbol ™ means a mark is used by a business or organisation as a trade mark. It does not indicate that the mark is registered nor protected under trade mark laws.
Criminal Offence
- Falsely representing a mark as a registered trade mark is a criminal offence when it is not registered or pending registration.
Application Processing Time
- For a smooth application with no objections, the estimate processing time from the filing date to registration of a mark is normally about nine months. For applications that faced objection(s), the application may take longer time to approve.
Validity of Trade Mark
- The registration of a trade mark is valid for 10 years from the filing date of the application. Protection can last indefinitely subject to renewal every 10 years, and with proper use of the mark.
