Intellectual Property Office of Singapore launches SG Trademark Fast Track Program

Recently, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) launched a major initiative, the new SG Trademark Fast Track Program to speed up trademark examinations.

Starting from May 20, 2025, trademark applicants can use this program to accelerate the examination process and receive the first examination opinion or notice of opposition within 3-6 weeks after the application is submitted. It should be noted that this only applies to the first examination round. After responding to the re-examination opinion, subsequent examinations cannot be accelerated. This measure will greatly shorten the trademark registration time.

Eligibility and Application Process

• Any national trademark application in Singapore, which can be submitted directly to IPOS via Form TM4, is eligible for the SG Trademark Fast Track Scheme, provided that the trademark application is not a certification mark or collective mark.
• The request for acceleration must be made at the same time as the application is submitted, and the fee for accelerated examination must be paid at the same time. Currently, the official accelerated fee is SGD 200 or SGD 250 per class, depending on the degree of product description. If multiple classes are involved, the accelerated request will automatically apply to all classes in the application.
• As with other IP registration costs, these expedited examination costs are deductible through the Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS), allowing companies to claim enhanced tax deductions or convert compliance expenditures into cash payments.

Practical implications for brand owners

The SG Trademark Fast Track Program greatly simplifies the timeline for obtaining trademark rights in Singapore, allowing local applications to mature quickly into registered status within 3 months of filing. This is particularly beneficial for applicants who intend to use a trademark filed locally in Singapore as a basis for filing an international application (IA) through the Madrid Agreement.

Applicants who previously relied on a newly submitted base application in Singapore will need to choose between the following conditions:

• Delaying their IA filing to minimise the risk of a ‘central attack’ until the Singapore basic mark is registered or at least reaches published status, thereby potentially losing the priority filing date
• Or you may file an IA first within the 6-month priority declaration period, but run the risk of the basic application being opposed. The accelerated examination time under the SG Trademark Express Program will reduce this uncertainty and at least provide applicants with more time to resolve any oppositions before the priority period expires.

In conclusion, we strongly recommend that individuals or businesses who wish to obtain trademark rights in Singapore quickly and use the Singapore application as a springboard for efficient and robust international protection consider the SG Trademark Fast Track Program.