Why Business Owners Should Register Their Company's Trademark In Singapore

By Lenie Brooks


A trademark is a name or symbol that represents a company or product brand. It may include a word, phrase, symbol or design that serves as a distinguishable feature of one product or service and sets it apart from others of a similar nature.

A business owner can derive many benefits when he or she registers a trademark. For one thing, he or she can provide licenses and franchises to interested parties. This signifies another income-generating venture for the company. Registering a trademark also legally prevents third parties from using similar terms or names, or designs that have semblance to your trademark, which, in turn, provide an unlevel playing field and unfair competition. Today, registration of a trademark also provides protection for the internet domain of a business.

For companies doing business in the Lion City, they should register their trademarks with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore or IPOS, an agency under the Ministry of Law. Singapore also offers a more convenient and easier trademark registration procedure with the help of certified IP agencies.

A certified registration agency processes the registration of trademark on behalf of their clients, which are often a business or brand owner. This option saves clients' time, money and effort. The standards set by the International Classification of Goods and Services serve as the basis of classifications for trademark registration in Singapore. And while trademark registration is not compulsory, a business person who does own registered marks acquire common law rights.

There are, however, certain marks that the Intellectual Property Office cannot provide legal protection. The Trade Mark Law in the Lion City, for instance, does not encourage the application for the registration of descriptive marks. Furthermore, owners of marks that are offensive or contrary to public policies will not obtain certificate of registration from IPOS. To know more about trademark policies, and how to protect your brand, it is best to consult with a certified registration agency now.




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