How to Register Designs

Your design is registrable if it satisfies this key criteria:

• New - The registered design must not have been registered in Singapore or elsewhere before, or published anywhere in the world before the date of application of the first filing.

Before you register your design, it is a good idea to run a search on existing designs to see if it already exists. You can also avoid scenarios where there might be possible infringement of other registered designs. You can conduct the search on IPOS Digital Hub. You may also check the databases of other countries, generally found on the respective national IP offices’ websites.

• Designs that are contrary to public order or morality

• Computer programmes or layout designs of integrated circuits

• Designs applied to certain articles, such as wall plaques, medals and medallions, and printed matter primarily of a literary or artistic character (e.g. calendars, certificates, coupons, greeting cards, leaflets, maps, playing cards, postcards, stamps, and similar articles)

• Methods or principles of construction

• Designs that are solely functional

• Designs that are dependent upon the appearance of another article or non-physical product, of which it is intended by the designer to form an integral part or enable the article or non-physical product to be connected to, or placed in, around or against, another article or non-physical product so that either article or non-physical product may perform its function

While engaging professional services to file your design application is not a requirement, you may benefit by enlisting the help of professionals to advise on your scope of rights before filing.

Pre-filing Checklist

• Check that your design fulfils the design registration criteria in Singapore.

• Check that you have properly represented your design in your application. You may refer to the “ Guide on Acceptable and Unacceptable Images [PDF, 282 KB]” for an example.

• Check for existing designs that may be similar to yours.

From Application to Registration of a Design in Singapore

Generally it takes about 4 months from the date of filing the application to the successful registration of a design. However, the registration process may take longer if the application has deficiencies that must be corrected or if documents that must accompany the application have not been submitted within the time specified by the Registrar. 

The following steps outline the stages following an application to register a design in Singapore.

1. Application

   1. New registration must include:

      1. Application form [PDF, 364 KB]

      2. Application fee: S$200/-

   2. Request for Deferment of Publication (Optional) includes:

      1.  An indication on application form [PDF, 364 KB] 

      2. Application fee: S$40/-

   3. You can file up to 50 designs within a single application if the designs relate to the same class or all of the same classes as classified in accordance with the  Practice Direction No 4 of 2020 [PDF, 57 KB]

   4. You can also file a Graphical User Interface (GUI) as a design. Learn  how to register a GUI [PDF, 175 KB].

2. Minimum filling requirements check

   1. The application for a registered design must contain:

      1.  Application form [PDF, 364 KB]

      2. Application fee: $200/-

      3. Name and address of the applicant

      4. At least one clear representation of the design

   2. Upon successful submission of the above, you will receive an online acknowledgement and application number(s). For multiple designs filed within a single application, you will receive an application number for each design in the application. If you applied online via the IPOS Digital Hub, the application number will be provided upon successful payment.

3. Formalities examination

   1. Your application will undergo a formalities examination to ensure the following information is in order:

      1. Statement of Novelty

      2. Classification and article/non-physical product name

      3. Representation or Image of the design is suitable for reproduction 

4. Registration and issuance of certificate

   1. Once your design is registered, a Certificate of Registration is issued and your design will be protected for 5 years from the date of filing of the application.

   2. After the initial 5-year protection, you may choose to extend the protection for the design for an additional 5 years. The maximum term of a design is 15 years.

5. Publication

   1. Once registered, the full details of your design are published in the Designs Journal and the register at the IPOS Digital Hub. Once published, the designs are available for public inspection. If you have requested to defer the publication of the design, it will not be published until the end of 18 months from the date of filing of the application.

Protection for designs is territorial in nature. You will need to file individually in each country you wish to obtain design protection in.

You may do so by:

1. Filing individual applications with the IP offices of each countries, as:

   • Law and procedures vary across countries

   • Filing fees vary across countries

   • Translation may be required if the IP office does not use English as their official language

2. Filing an international application under the Hague System, where:

   • Only one application is required

   • Only one filing fee is required

   • Filing can be done in one language

To be eligible for filing an international application under the Hague system directly with IPOS, each applicant must satisfy at least one of the following entitlement criteria :-

• be a national of Singapore

• have a domicile in Singapore

• have a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in Singapore. For more information, please refer to  Guidelines for the Determination of a Real and Effective Industrial or Commercial Establishment [PDF, 144 KB]

• have a habitual residence in Singapore

The Hague System  is an international registration system that is administered by the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)  in Switzerland.

Singapore is a Hague Union member and can therefore participate in the international registration system facilitated by the Hague System, which has a total of 79 contracting parties covering 96 countries.

Benefits of the Hague System
You can use the Hague System to file a single international application instead of having to file individually to each countries’ IP office.

This means that you can enjoy the convenience of filing design protection in several countries simultaneously through one application with the International Bureau of WIPO, in one language, and by paying one set of fees in one currency (Swiss francs).